Central Louisiana students will be graduating from their 2023-2024 school year D.A.R.E. programs beginning May 6.

 

D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. The program gives kids the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence.

 

D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983 and has proven so successful that it has been implemented in thousands of schools throughout the United States and many other countries.

 

It is an incredible program. I taught 5th grade in Rapides Parish in the 90’s and it was always a highlight of the school year. My oldest daughter’s essay was selected for the program graduation the year she took D.A.R.E. It has been framed and hanging for twenty-three years. She honored her pledge to remain drug-free. 

 

The curriculum expanded with the changing times. Beginning in 2002 the acronym for D.A.R.E. also stands for Define (the problem), Assess (the situation by coming up with choices), Respond (think about the negative or positive consequences of your choices) Evaluate (did you make the right decision on the choice that you made). 

 

The REAL can also be included when using the DARE Decision Making Model (DDMM):

 

Refuse- tell that person no

Explain- tell them why you are saying no

Avoid- keeping away from a situation that you do not want to be involved in 

Leave- take yourself out of a situation that you do not want to be involved in

 

D.A.R.E. now includes lessons on opioids, vaping, and social media safety. Outcomes from a recent research show “that the delivery of elementary school keepin’ it REAL by D.A.R.E. officers is having a positive effect in terms of deterring the onset of alcohol use and vaping.”

 

Central Louisiana’s D.A.R.E. is part of a multi-jurisdictional unit comprised of officers from Pineville Police Dept. and the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office. APD has had DARE officers in years past. Current officers include Sgt. Dale Anderson- RPSO, Dep. Keshunda Briggs- RPSO, Dep. Paul Hogan-RPSO, Sgt. Derek Parker PPD, and Lt. KJ Hawthorne- RPSO. These officers have a heart for the children in our community. If you see a D.A.R.E. Unit car around town, thank them for their commitment to our next generation of leaders in Central Louisiana. 

 

D.A.R.E. graduation dates are:

Mabel Brasher- May 6 at 9 AM

Forest Hill- May 6 at 1 PM

Poland- May 7 at 9 AM

Paradise- May 7 at 1 PM

Montessori- May 8 at 9 AM

Grace Christian- May 8 at 1 PM

Nachman- May 9 at 9 AM

Pineville- May 9 at 1 PM

Oak Hill-May 13 at 9 AM

Phoenix- May 13 at 1 PM

LS Rugg-May 14 at 9 AM

Northwood-May 14 at 1 PM

Martin Park-May 15 at 9 AM

Ball-May 15 at 11 AM

Alma Redwine-May 15 at 1 PM

Tioga-May 16 at 9 AM

Ruby Wise-May 16 at 1 PM