D.A.R.E

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D.A.R.E.

A Message from DARE Officer Robert Scapicchio

The DARE program at VMS has been in place since the early 1990's (I just contacted DARE NJ to get a specific start date and am waiting for a response) and through the years, has seen several DARE Instructors in the classroom. DARE is taught in the Health class of Mr. Frank Concepcion during the six cycles and the current DARE Officer/Instructor is Officer Robert Scapicchio. Officer "BOB" Scapicchio as the kids refer to him, has been an Officer with the Voorhees Police Department since 1997 and has been a DARE instructor since 1999. Officer Bob enjoys spending his days talking to the students in the 6th grade and 8th grade about the dangers associated with drugs, alcohol, tobacco and violence and the consequences associated with making poor choices.

DARE is a series of lessons that focuses on a DARE decision-making model which allows children to make healthy and wise decisions. We talk about the health effects and facts about tobacco use. The students write their own warning label associated with tobacco use (Surgeon General's Warning). We also talk about health effects and facts about Marijuana and Alcohol abuse in our society. We also discuss the necessary foundations and qualities for a good friendship. Peer pressure plays a major role in the decisions our children make and I focus on the ways children can open a dialogue with the pressuring person to make a healthier choice. There are several ways to Stay out of a Risky Situation and Getting out of a Risky Situation. The children are guided through a series of Situations in which they discuss their DARE decision making process.

D EFINE - Describe the problem, challenge or opportunity.
A SSESS - What are your choices?
R ESPOND - Make a choice. Use the facts and information you have gathered.
E VALUATE - Review your decision. Did you make a good choice and why?

Students are assigned a DARE Report by Mr. Concepcion that allows the students to put into writing their commitment to stay drug and violence free. The students should discuss what knowledge and skills they have learned in DARE to help make healthy choice. Give details about what they have learned and why it is important. Make a pledge statement to make wise decisions about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

The DARE program has been widely accepted by the community. Many times I speak to Parents/students at an event or in the community and they cannot say enough positive comments about the program, the Voorhees Police Dept. and the children's interaction with me. They feel I am a positive role model for their children and am glad I am the Officer in the Voorhees Middle School work with their children. I am a DARE and School Resource Officer at VMS and feel these roles at VMS have a positive and lasting impact on the children.

This year millions of school children around the world will benefit from D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), the highly acclaimed program that gives kids the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence. D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles and has proven so successful that it is now being implemented in 75 percent of our nation's school districts and in more than 43 countries around the world. D.A.R.E. is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches children from kindergarten through 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives.

The Value of the D.A.R.E. Network

The Launching of D.A.R.E. America

Overwhelming national and international demand for D.A.R.E. led to the creation of D.A.R.E. America, a national non-profit organization. D.A.R.E. America serves as a resource to communities, helping to establish and improve local D.A.R.E. programs. D.A.R.E. America provides officer training, supports the development and evaluation of the D.A.R.E. curriculum, provides student educational materials, monitors instruction standards and program results, and creates national awareness for D.A.R.E.

Specially Trained Cops Assigned D.A.R.E. Classroom "Beats"

The D.A.R.E. curriculum is designed to be taught by police officers whose training and experience gave them the background needed to answer the sophisticated questions often posed by young students about drugs and crime. Prior to entering the D.A.R.E. program, officers undergo 80 hours of special training in areas such as child development, classroom management, teaching techniques, and communication skills. 40 hours of additional training are provided to D.A.R.E. instructors to prepare them to teach the high school curriculum.

D.A.R.E. Receives High Marks From America's Leaders

Presidential administrations, governors, members of congress, and state legislators have praised D.A.R.E. Since 1988, Presidential Proclamation declares one day each year National D.A.R.E. Day. State legislatures have joined with the President and Congress by proclaiming D.A.R.E. day within their respective states.

D.A.R.E. Training is Unique

D.A.R.E. goes beyond traditional drug abuse and violence prevention programs. It gives children the skills needed to recognize and resist the subtle and overt pressures that cause them to experiment with drugs or become involved in gangs or violent activities.

D.A.R.E. is Community Policing

D.A.R.E. is universally viewed as an internationally recognized model of community policing. The United States Department of Justice has identified how D.A.R.E. benefits local communities: