D.A.R.E. NJ 2009 Conference: Trends, Changes and Challenges

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D.A.R.E. New Jersey, in collaboration with law enforcement, schools, parents, community and governmental agencies, will provide premier leadership, guidance, direction and program materials to D.A.R.E. Officers, parents and educators in order to deliver a comprehensive drug and violence prevention curriculum and supportive programs to the State's youth and communities.
— D.A.R.E. NJ Mission Statement

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The 2009 D.A.R.E. NJ annual state training conference titled Trends, Changes & Challenges was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey from April 28-30, 2009 and was attended by over 300 D.A.R.E. officers, educators, military personnel, community leaders and students. Nicholas R. DeMauro, Chairman & CEO and Dr. Barbara Allen-Walker, Director of Training and Education are to be commended for their leadership with coordinating this event.

The conference featured educational training by speakers addressing contemporary issues that affect youth including:

• Students with Behavioral Challenges
• Character Education
• School Violence Prevention
• Crisis Management
• Alcohol Abuse, Illicit Drugs/Steroids, Prescription Drug Alert
• Educational Principles of Working with Youth
• Exploitation of Children
• On line Social Networking and Technology
• Military Families
• Suicide Prevention
• Gangs and Guns
• Domestic Violence

One of the highlights of the conference was the presentation of Craig Scott, a student at Columbine during the April 20, 1999 tragedy, who was in the school library where ten classmates were killed and over twenty wounded. He would later discover that his sister, Rachel Joy Scott, was the first student killed. Craig travels the country speaking about the compassion and kindness of his sister and offering hope through Rachel's Challenge:

1. ELIMINATE PREJUDICE
   by looking for the Best in Others
2. DARE TO DREAM
   Set Goals—Keep a Journal
3. CHOOSE YOUR INFLUENCES
   Input Determines Output
4. KIND WORDS
   Small Acts of Kindness = Huge Impact
5. START A CHAIN REACTION
   With Family & Friends

As the keynote speaker for the conference, my presentation was titled Reawakening the Heart of America through Leadership, Vigilance and Collaboration and included reflections on the effect of drugs and alcohol on our "under the influence" society, especially our youth.

PRESENTATION AGENDA

• WHY ARE WE HERE?
• CONTEMPORARY CONCERNS
  • Head On Collision
  • Crisis of Leadership
  • Culture of Violence
  • Shattered Communities
  • Filling the Void
• REAWAKENING THE HEART OF AMERICA
  • Progress and Priorities
  • The Altruism Factor^TM
  • Ingredients for Transformation
  • Character: The Heart of the Matter
• CALL TO ACTION
• TRIBUTE TO AMERICAN MILITARY
• CONCLUSION

It was a privilege to meet so many law enforcement, school, military and community leaders who are dedicated to touching the hearts of their students and transforming New Jersey families and communities. I was honored that each received a copy of Listen To Their Cries thanks to the generosity of D.A.R.E. N.J.

READ MORE

D.A.R.E. NJ	Click here to visit site
Rachel's Challenge	Click here to visit site
Craig Scott at 2006 White House School Safety Conference	Click here to visit site
Character Education Partnership	Click here to visit site
Alcohol Blogs	Click here to visit site
Drugs Blogs	Click here to visit site