Dare in Illinois is an adaptation of the Los Angeles Model. Together, the Illinois State Police (ISP), State Board of Education, Department of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, local educators, and police officials laid the ground work for an Illinois pilot program that began in January 1987. State wide expansion was scheduled for the 1987-1988 school year.
The pilot project,administered by ISP, was aimed at 8,600 fifth and sixth grade students in 46 school districts statewide. These students learned about the many subtle pressures that lead to experimentation with drugs and ways to say "no" to drugs. D.A.R.E. also focuses on self-esteeem, interpersonal communication skills, decision-making, and positive alternatives to drug abuse behavior.
Of the more than 70 police officers who applied to teach D.A.R.E., 30 were selected (17 from ISP, 13 from local police departments). Selection was based on psychological screening, oral interview, service record and completion of a 2 week training course.
Each School is visited once a week for 17 weeks by an assigned instructor. Lessons last 45 to 60 minutes and involve students in a variety of exercises, both written and oral. The instructor spends the entire day at the school. Aside from D.A.R.E. instruction, officers present short talks on basic safety issues in grade kindergarten through fourth, meet with teachers, and interact with students at lunch and recess.
Reduction in the supply of controlled substances as a result of reduced demand;
More positive identification with police officers;
Improved decision-making in all life situations, and an overall reduction in criminality.
D.A.R.E. offers an innovative approach to substance abuse prevention that is has been both well-received and easily adapted. This drug resistance program effectively addresses yet another form of child exploitation - - victimization through substance abuse.
The D.A.R.E. program has been in excistance in Sangamon County since 1988. Currently D.A.R.E. is taught in 10 of our county schools by 2 trained officers.
The core curriculum is taught in either the fifth or sixth grade in the above schools. As time allows we also offer the K-4 program basic drug and safety information for the younger students, and
If you would like to more information about D.A.R.E. contact Sangamon County Sheriff's Crime Prevention Division at 217-753-6373.
St. Marys in New Berlin
Illiopolis
Pawnee
Tri City
Farmingdale
Ball Chatam
Loami
Divernon
Auburn
Riverton