As reported by Monika ZacharaCoulter Stuart
“It’s really hard when you see someone that you know going down a bad path.”
“There’s a lot of issues that confront these children today.”
“We’re a prevention program, prevent things from happening,” says Rafael Morales, the North Central Regional Director of D.A.R.E. of America.[sic]
You probably remember yourself– or your kids– learning about ‘D.A.R.E.’ in school.
“It’s important for people to realize that children will learn about drugs, somewhere. Someone will tell them about drugs,” says Lloyd Bratz, Vice President of Regional & International Operations of D.A.R.E. of America.[sic]
Last week, law enforcement partners had an annual training to enhance their skills, and go over some of the new trends happening with young people today.
“It’s kindergarten through high school.”
Morales says, “This year we’re coming out with a new social media lesson, also talking about bullying, focusing on elementary vaping…unfortunately we’ve had a demand to get down to the lower grades because we’re starting to see a lot of unfortunately experimentation.”
So much was discussed during the training. From the student’s perspective…
“Especially in today’s age, everything changes so fast. There are different trends that pop up all the time. It’s important for students to be educated on the harms that come along with them. It’s important to have these conversations with them so they know what can happen to them if they continue these bad behaviors, or what can’t happen to them, ya know, the things they’ll miss out on,” says Jack Droelle, a D.A.R.E. of America [sic] Youth Advocacy Board Member from Michigan.
To the parent’s perspective…
“Maybe their parents don’t necessarily have those conversations with them or give them the right information. The officers are so interactive with the kids. The lesson plans are really directed towards the children to engage them,” says Jack’s mother, Stacie Semith-Droelle.
They say this program is crucial.
Morales says, “We need more role models. We need some more positive role models. And not just in the home but outside the home.”
“It’s all about building good relationships with law enforcement in your community and linking that with schools,” says Jack Droelle.
With better relationships, that means more memorable experiences.
Stacie says, “I couldn’t tell ya who my D.A.R.E. officer was. Where she went, he went. Whereas the kids now are seniors after they’ve went through it in fifth grade and sixth grade and they’re seeing their D.A.R.E. officers in the communities and they are reaching out to them when they are having issues. [sic]
“It empowers me also. This is a two way street. I always say to my kids, ya know what, my best teachers are my kids. Are the folks that are in the audience. I’m always learning and so it’s like a two way street. We’re gonna learn from each other,” says Morales.
And learning that good habits are as addictive as bad habits, but they say– they’re much more rewarding.
North Carolina D.A.R.E. Officer Training 2022 Class Photo
From the 2022 North Carolina D.A.R.E. Officer Training
Pennsylvania D.A.R.E. Officer Training, October 24 to November 4, 2022
On October 24 through November 4, 2022, officers from the states of Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, New York, and North Carolina gathered to attend D.A.R.E. America's D.A.R.E. Officer Training in Annville, Pennsylvania. The training was conducted at the...
Police Officers Graduate From D.A.R.E Programme
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force witnessed 17 of its officers graduate from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) programme on Friday, October 28th, 2022. The programme was administered by certified instructors of the D.A.R.E International and...
PROERD Mentor Officer Training – Santa Catarina, Brazil
The training of PROERD/D.A.R.E. Mentors has commenced this Monday, October 17th, 2022. It is being conducted by the PROERD/D.A.R.E. Training Center of the Military Police of the State of Santa Catarina, South Brazil. In all, 36 PROERD instructors are currently in the...
The 42nd D.A.R.E. Officer Training in Iowa
On September 18-29, 2022, officers from the states of Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska & Wisconsin gathered to attend Iowa’s 42nd D.A.R.E. Officer Training. The training was held in Johnston, Iowa at the Midwest Counterdrug Training Center…
Ohio D.A.R.E. Class #75 Welcomes 24 New D.A.R.E. Officers
Ohio D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) welcomed 24 newly certified D.A.R.E. officers from the 75th class trained in Ohio. These officers recently completed their two weeks of training conducted by Ohio D.A.R.E. The officers are trained in K – 4th Grade,...
Hawaii D.A.R.E. Officer Training 2022 Class Photo
From the D.A.R.E. Officer Training held on July 11 – 22, 2022 in Kapolei, HI
129th PROERD Instructor Training Course in Jaboticatubas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
From the 12th to the 23rd of September 2022, the 129th PROERD Instructor Training Course was held in the city of Jaboticatubas, Minas Gerais, with 33 new Instructors being trained and ultimately certified to teach the PROERD/D.A.R.E. Program. The Training Team...
Missouri D.A.R.E. Officer Training 2022 Class Photo
From the D.A.R.E. Officer Training held on September 11 – 23, 2022 in Jefferson City, MO
Copyright © 2022 D.A.R.E. America. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2022 D.A.R.E. America.
All Rights Reserved.