The Camden County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the implementation of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program to our local schools.

 

D.A.R.E. is a highly acclaimed program that gives kids the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence. D.A.R.E. is a law enforcement officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches children how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives. Part of the curriculum includes learning and practicing good decision-making skills and being safe and responsible. The program was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles and has proven so successful that it is now being implemented in nearly 80 percent of our nation's school districts and in more than 54 countries around the world. More than 30 million children worldwide will benefit from the D.A.R.E. program this year alone.

Part of the reason D.A.R.E. works so well is because it is a collaborative effort between law enforcement, schools, parents, and community leaders. D.A.R.E. works because it surrounds children with support and encouragement from all sides. D.A.R.E. teaches kids how to recognize and resist the direct and subtle pressures that influence them to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other drugs. And since between 70% and 90% of all crime is drug related, it is absolutely vital that we reach the children of America before it is too late.

Last month, Deputy Jamee Rugen attended D.A.R.E. training in Jefferson City as part of a year long effort to implement the program after it was cancelled in 2000. Deputy Rugen will begin the D.A.R.E. program at Climax Springs School, Macks Creek School, and Stoutland School during the week of November 14th.

To find out more information about the D.A.R.E. program please feel free to contact Deputy Rugen at 573-346-2243 or via email from our webpage at www.camdencountymosheriff.org.