D.A.R.E. Makes a Comeback in Chino Schools

Officer Matthew Solano is shown teaching students drug resistance strategies during the inaugural D.A.R.E. class at the Cal Aero Preserve Academy in Chino on Aug. 9.
Chino Valley School District photo

The drug abuse resistance program D.A.R.E. has returned to Chino elementary schools after 20 years, with a focus on healthy decision-making skills and self-advocacy.

Approximately 900 fifth-grade students in the Chino Valley Unified School District are participating in the D.A.R.E. program guided by the Chino Police Department this school year, said Andi Johnston, district director of communications.

D.A.R.E. is an educational program that aims to prevent drug use, gang membership, and violence.

The school district, which initiated D.A.R.E. in the late 1980s, discontinued the program in 2003 due to cuts in state funding, according to Champion archives.

The Chino City Council on Sept. 19 approved the $11,500 budget for the program that covers the curriculum workbooks and graduation shirts students receive after completion.

Chino Police Officer Matthew Solano is instructing this year’s program, which began Aug. 9 at Cal Aero Preserve Academy tracks C and D in Chino.

The program is being held over two ten-week semesters at all Chino elementary schools, with Newman, Briggs, Walnut, Cal Aero Preserve Academy, and Alicia Cortez in the first semester and Doris Dickson, Cal Aero Preserve Academy tracks A and B, Edwin Rhodes, Howard Cattle, Anna Borba and E.J. Marshall in the second semester.

Officer Solano said the program teaches students about risks and consequences, how to communicate effectively, and rely on their “help network.”

Students are taught how to adopt habits that promote mental and emotional health, not just physical health, he said.

A 45-minute D.A.R.E. class session begins with answering questions, watching a video or cartoon skit showing people going through situations or difficulties related to drug use, peer pressure, and bullying, and working in groups to figure out the best way to respond in those situations, Officer Solano said.

In week four of the program, students act out skits in resistance strategies, giving examples of how to resist peer pressure.

Officer Solano, who has previous experience as a high school resource officer, said he loves seeing the resistance strategy skits students come up with.

“Some of them are really quiet at the beginning but seeing them really open up and have a deep understanding of the concepts they’re learning is amazing,” he said.

The school district piloted the program last year at Levi Dickey Elementary School in south Ontario with Police Officer Jesse O. Hernandez of the Ontario Police Department as instructor.

This year, Liberty Elementary School, at 2730 S. Bon View Ave., is the only CVUSD elementary school in Ontario where D.A.R.E. is being implemented, said Ms. Johnston.

Officer Matthew Solano is shown teaching students drug resistance strategies during the inaugural D.A.R.E. class at the Cal Aero Preserve Academy in Chino on Aug. 9.
Chino Valley School District photo

The drug abuse resistance program D.A.R.E. has returned to Chino elementary schools after 20 years, with a focus on healthy decision-making skills and self-advocacy.

Approximately 900 fifth-grade students in the Chino Valley Unified School District are participating in the D.A.R.E. program guided by the Chino Police Department this school year, said Andi Johnston, district director of communications.

D.A.R.E. is an educational program that aims to prevent drug use, gang membership, and violence.

The school district, which initiated D.A.R.E. in the late 1980s, discontinued the program in 2003 due to cuts in state funding, according to Champion archives.

The Chino City Council on Sept. 19 approved the $11,500 budget for the program that covers the curriculum workbooks and graduation shirts students receive after completion.

Chino Police Officer Matthew Solano is instructing this year’s program, which began Aug. 9 at Cal Aero Preserve Academy tracks C and D in Chino.

The program is being held over two ten-week semesters at all Chino elementary schools, with Newman, Briggs, Walnut, Cal Aero Preserve Academy, and Alicia Cortez in the first semester and Doris Dickson, Cal Aero Preserve Academy tracks A and B, Edwin Rhodes, Howard Cattle, Anna Borba and E.J. Marshall in the second semester.

Officer Solano said the program teaches students about risks and consequences, how to communicate effectively, and rely on their “help network.”

Students are taught how to adopt habits that promote mental and emotional health, not just physical health, he said.

A 45-minute D.A.R.E. class session begins with answering questions, watching a video or cartoon skit showing people going through situations or difficulties related to drug use, peer pressure, and bullying, and working in groups to figure out the best way to respond in those situations, Officer Solano said.

In week four of the program, students act out skits in resistance strategies, giving examples of how to resist peer pressure.

Officer Solano, who has previous experience as a high school resource officer, said he loves seeing the resistance strategy skits students come up with.

“Some of them are really quiet at the beginning but seeing them really open up and have a deep understanding of the concepts they’re learning is amazing,” he said.

The school district piloted the program last year at Levi Dickey Elementary School in south Ontario with Police Officer Jesse O. Hernandez of the Ontario Police Department as instructor.

This year, Liberty Elementary School, at 2730 S. Bon View Ave., is the only CVUSD elementary school in Ontario where D.A.R.E. is being implemented, said Ms. Johnston.