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.
