The Maryland D.A.R.E. Officers Association, along with the Maryland Community Policing Institute bring Daren as one of the mascots to participate in the annual Ronald McDonald House 5K Walk & Run. The Ronald McDonald House Charities in Maryland provides a haven that shelters families and sees them through a period of unthinkable stress when a family is focused on healing their children.
The mascots are an impactful asset to this event. Mascots from various local organizations mingle with the volunteers, children, and families that are staying in the house along with just having fun with all those that participate in the event.
This year there were 2,700 Shufflers, 70 current and former Ronald McDonald House children and families, and 200 Volunteers in attendance.
Each year the MDOA participates in this event with the Maryland Crime Prevention Institute.
This year the Following D.A.R.E. Officers: Holly Kramer and Dan Lane from the Gaithersburg Police Department, Trevin Sherard from the Maryland National Capitol Park Police, and Ann Thacker from the Maryland Community Policing Institute, along with one youth explorer from the Montgomery County Explorer Group volunteered their time to promote the D.A.R.E. program, and have some fun with the attendees and other area mascots.
The D.A.R.E. program teaches students decision-making skills that equip them to lead safe and healthy lives. Lessons include the dangers of drug abuse, how to resist and refuse peer pressure, and how to take a stand against bullying. The D.A.R.E. program is designed to boost students’ social skills, enhance self-esteem, and provide tools to help them make responsible decisions.
D.A.R.E. Officers from the various participating Maryland Law Enforcement Agencies teach the program to more than 11,144 students in 106 schools and community programs during the course of the school year. Funding for the D.A.R.E. program is provided in part by donations from local organizations, fundraising, and grants.
Congratulations, Gregory Alexander
from Yemassee, South Carolina! Gregory submitted the winning bid to win a 7-night stay for two at a Four Diamond Luxury Mexico Resort in Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Maya, Acapulco, or Puerto Penasco! His bid and this amazing travel…
D.A.R.E./keepin’ it REAL elementary curriculum:
Substance use outcomes
In 2021, the University of North Carolina, Greensboro and Prevention Strategies completed its three year, multi-longitudinal evaluation of D.A.R.E.’s keepin’ it REAL elementary school prevention education curriculum. The results of that study were submitted for peer...
Team up with Little Caesars and D.A.R.E. to Keep Kids Safe
We’re excited to announce a new partnership with Little Caesars Pizza and D.A.R.E. to help keep kids safe and provide students responsible decision-making skills across the USA. For every pizza, bread, and cookie dough kit sold…
President and CEO of D.A.R.E. speaks to Dr. Ted Bender about relentless efforts to help end drug issues on an international level!
Watch the podcast…
4,500 Students Graduate from D.A.R.E. Mexico in Tijuana
Tijuana, Baja California, February 23, 2023 – More than 4,500 preschool, Elementary, and Middle school students from 43 schools in Tijuana, Mexico, graduated from the D.A.R.E. program. Students completed their preventive education program against drug use courses…
Mentor Officer Training 2023
The D.A.R.E. America Training Team along with the support and assistance of Virginia D.A.R.E., York County (VA) D.A.R.E. Program, and the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services & MD D.A.R.E. Unit...
D.A.R.E. Graduation at Paulding Elementary School
D.A.R.E. program in Paulding County is going strong with a new Deputy at the helm, Deputy Rich Phelan. In January he completed the 12 week coursework with the Antwerp Elementary 5th graders. This past week, he graduated the 5th grade class of Paulding Elementary….
D.A.R.E. Rings the Nasdaq Stock Market Closing Bell
D.A.R.E., the largest and most comprehensive K-12 drug prevention educational program in the world, visits the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square. In honor of the occasion, Robert Strang, Vice-Chairperson of D.A.R.E., rings the closing bell.
Lafayette County’s D.A.R.E. Program Graduates 225 Students
Lafayette’s D.A.R.E. program graduated 225 students recently. The D.A.R.E. program taught by Lafayette County deputies is a 10-week course that focuses on how students can make responsible decisions when it comes to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, bullying and peer pressure.