D.A.R.E. Curriculum

The curriculum for the fifth grade program is organized into 17 lessons. Each lesson is taught by Sheriff Allen Harmon and Deputy & School Resource Officer Jeff Hill. The lessons, presented once a week at each school, offer a variety of interactive, role-playing and cooperative learning activities designed to encourage students to solve problems of major importance in their lives.

INTRODUCING D.A.R.E. - Students become acquainted with D.A.R.E. Officer and the overall D.A.R.E. program.

UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF MIND-ALTERING DRUGS - Students develop a knowledge of basic drugs facts and understand the harmful effects of mind-altering drugs.

CONSIDERING CONSEQUENCES - Students identify the negative consequences of using drugs and the postive consequences of saying no to drugs.

CHANGING BELIEFS ABOUT DRUG USE - Students become aware of the prevalence of drug use among adolescents and the kinds of peer pressure others may use in trying to get them to take drugs.

LEARNING RESISTANCE TECHNIQUES - Students learn and practice effective ways of responding to various kinds of peer pressure to use drugs.

BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM - Students learn that self-esteem results from their positive and negative feelings and experiences and how self-esteem may influence their decision-making.

LEARNING ASSERTIVENESS - Students learn that assertiveness is a response style that enables a person to state his or her own rights without the loss of self-esteem.

MANAGING STRESS WITHOUT DRUGS - Students learn to recognize stress encountered in their daily lives and how to deal with it other than by taking drugs.

REDUCING VIOLENCE - Students learn that destructive acts of violence are inappropriate ways of dealing with anger and resolving disagreements.

COMBATING MEDIA INFLUENCES - Students understand how the media influences the choices they make and develop the skills and understanding needed to analyze and resists media presentations about drugs and alcohol.

MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT RISKY BEHAVIORS - Students apply the decision-making process in evaluating the results of various kinds of risk-taking behavior, including drug use.

SAYING YES TO POSITIVE ALTERNATIVES - Students discover interesting and rewarding activities that are alternatives to drug use.

HAVING POSITIVE ROLE MODELS - Students become acquainted with outstanding high school role models who are drug-free to clarify the misconception that drugs are in the majority.

RESISTING GANG AND GROUP VIOLENCE - Students identify situations in which they may be pressured by gangs, learn the negative consequences of gangs and evaluate the consequences of choices available to them.

SUMMARIZING D.A.R.E. LESSONS - Students summarize and assess what they have learned throughout the D.A.R.E. program.

TAKING A STAND - By having students complete an essay on their own commitment and present it to their classmates, they reinforce their commitment to respond effectively when pressured to use drugs.

D.A.R.E. GRADUATION - This culminating activity recognizes the individual achievement of all participants and reinforces the values and skills they have learned.

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