In the 21^st Century the D.A.R.E. program was re-designed into the New D.A.R.E. model of technology and science.  The elementary program has been combined into a 10-week session with follow-up courses taught at the middle and high school level. 

The New D.A.R.E. curriculum incorporates innovative prevention science and research-based strategies designed to improve student skills and outcomes. 

New D.A.R.E…

·         Offers a science-based education based on principles of prevention

·         Utilizes active learning

·         Targets communication and refusal skills

·         Teaches decision-making skills throughout lessons

·         Promotes accurate normative beliefs

·         Supports positive peer pressure influence

·         Promotes high self-efficacy

·         Creates a working knowledge of risk

·         Develops healthy attitudes

·         Is a community based program

·         National Health Education Standards

New D.A.R.E. officers are trained to support and guide children on how to use research-based refusal strategies in high-stakes peer-pressure environments. New D.A.R.E. students see tangible proof of how substances diminish mental activity, emotions, coordination and movement. Rigorous scientific evaluation has documented that kids who complete the New D.A.R.E. program have improved decision-making skills, view drug use as unacceptable, and possess significantly decreased likelihood of ever using drugs.

In preparing officers for their role within the school system, all officers trained under the New D.A.R.E. program are certified by the IACP as School Resource Officers.  This creates a well trained officer, which in turn, makes the biggest impact on our State’s most important resource, our children.