D.a.r.e.

The D.A.R.E. program is a Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program. It stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. The program was developed in Los Angeles in 1983 in an effort to prevent drug abuse among children and youth.

While traditional programs focus on the harmful effects of drugs, D.A.R.E. goes further by helping students recognize and resist the many subtle pressures that influence them to experiment with drugs, gangs, and violence. Program strategies are planned to focus on the development of social competence, communication skills, self esteem, empathy, decision-making, conflict resolution, sense of purpose, and independence. It focuses on promoting positive alternative activities to drug abuse and other destructive behaviors.