D.A.R.E. is Community Policing

Millions of youth around the world will benefit in 2007 from D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), a dynamic program that helps youth avoid gangs, guns, drugs and violence.

D.A.R.E. programs are in 75 percent of American school districts and in 43 other countries. It is universally understood as an initiative of community policing.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, D.A.R.E. benefits local communities by:

• Humanizing law enforcement so youth can relate to them in a personnel manner
• Placing police in roles of support and not just as enforcing laws
• Opens communication between youth and the police
• Serves as a bridging mechanism to information beyond drug-related topics
• Develops collaboration with the entire school community including parents, families and staff to effectively deal with community issues

Through this positive interaction that forges partnership between youth and police, future dedicated law enforcement personnel, so vital to the infrastructure of a community and the nation, are inspired.

Visit the official D.A.R.E. web site