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DARE <br />Drug Abuse Resistance Education <br />Program Background <br />In January 1983, Chief Daryl F. Gates of the Los Angeles Police Department <br />(LAPD) approached Dr. Harry Handler, Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School <br />District (LAUSD), expressing cu--,ct�rn about drug problems facing society. As a result of this <br />meeting, a task force comprised of LAPD and LAUSD personnel was appointed to develop a <br />drug abuse prevention program for elementary school children. <br />During the development of the curriculu-n, numerous drug abuse education <br />programs were examined. Task force members agreed that a prevention program was best <br />suited for the targeted age group. Existing prevention models which emphasized an <br />understanding of peer pressure, self -management skills (decision -making, values clarification <br />and problem -solving), positive lifestyles and alternatives to drug use appeared to be <br />experiencing the highest degree of success. As a result of "pis study a cooperative <br />LAPD/LAUSD drug abuse prevention program called "DARE" (Drug Abuse Resistance <br />Education) was developed for presentation to fifth and sixth grade students. DARE cui r iculum <br />focuses on peer resistance training, self-concept improvement, and value judgements about <br />respect for the law and personal safety. <br />In September 1983 the DARE pilot program was Introduced in selected Los Angeles <br />City Schools by 10 LAPD officers. Before entering the cl� ssroom the officers participated in <br />80 hours of training, including curriculum on teaching ter `,riirue, elementary school operation, <br />preparation of visual aids, officer -school relations, ..ommunications skills and child <br />development. <br />Since its inception, Los Angeles DARE has gr:wi-► e 53 officers who reach students <br />in more than 300 elementary schools in the city. Teachers, s '.xl administrators, parents and <br />students report positive results directly attributable to ^�.�._: instruction. The program is so <br />successful that it has become a model for police agencies tnrou :out the country. <br />