Back
in the early 1980's, the Los Angeles
Police Department believed that a generation of young people was
being lost to drugs. This war couldn't be won by traditional means
because once a person was incarcerated, it was too late to try and
save them. Their goal was to help youngsters lead healthy, safe,
drug free lives and education was the key to achieving these goals.
the L.A.P.D worked in conjunction with the Los Angeles Unified
School District to draw up the curriculum at which time a
partnership was formed, D.A.R.E. This partnership has been unlike
any other program right from the start due to this unique bond
created between the school and the police department. This was in
fact a pioneering approach to drug education and prevention.
Although
youngsters are given the factual information they need about drug
and alcohol abuse, the lessons don't end there. D.A.R.E. goes much
deeper, teaching young people certain life skills they will use long
after their school years are over. The different lessons on
Considering Consequences, Building Self-Esteem, Learning
Assertiveness and Managing Stress will not only help a youngster
solidify strong character traits, but will also provide them with
the tools and internal assurance needed to resist drugs and
violence.
D.A.R.E. is taught by selected police officers that are required
to go through two weeks of intense training to prepare them to teach
the "core curriculum". This curriculum is aimed at the
fifth grade level and is presented as 17 consecutive weekly sessions
with each lasting approximately 45 minutes. The advantage of police
officers being in school is their ability to spend free time out of
the classroom building rapport with the students. This is
accomplished by spending time on the playground during recess,
joining the students in the cafeteria for lunch and attending other
school functions and assemblies. This is actually an crucial part of
the program.
D.A.R.E.
takes advantage of the fact that an uniformed police officer gives
instant credibility to the topics of drug abuse and violence. It is
also a great opportunity for the students to see a police officer as
a role model, which can be beneficial for a youngster at any age.
Seeing a police officer in such a positive light will impact the way
a youngster views the police, as well as leaves them with a greater
understanding and respect for the law.
D.A.R.E. had proven it is no longer necessary to use
the scare tactics of traditional drug education. By working with a
child to help raise their self-esteem and teaching them to make
their own choices, positive alternatives to drug use will be the
result.
How is the Hanover Police Department involved with D.A.R.E.?
The Hanover Police D.A.R.E. program
was implemented at the Hanover Police Department in September of
1987 and is currently headed by Officer Michael McKeever. Hanover
was proud to be one of the first police departments in the state to
start this revolutionary program that is currently provided to all
fifth grade students at the Hanover Middle School. While this only
covers the core curriculum, the Hanover Police Department is in the
process of expanding the program to the kindergarten through third
grade levels while also introducing it this year at the Cardinal
Cushing School and Training Center.
2002 D.A.R.E graduation
The D.A.R.E. Program is funded by a state grant as
well as from the donations of private businesses and citizens.
Hanover D.A.R.E. is always looking for financial support as it is
the only means to expand the program and reach out to more
youngsters. The D.A.R.E. Summer Day Program, the annual trip to the
Pawtucket Red Sox baseball game and the outing to the Ringling
Brothers Circus at the Fleet Center are only the start of a rich and
successful tradition that the Hanover Police Department and the
Hanover D.A.R.E. program continues to offer the youth of Hanover.
Hanover Police Department
