Empowering Youth to Make Safe & Healthy Choices

The DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) curriculum is a well-established, interactive program designed to connect students with law enforcement officers in a classroom setting. This direct interaction builds positive relationships and reinforces the importance of substance abuse prevention through credible, relatable lessons.

Engaging & Interactive Learning Experience

The DARE curriculum consists of 10 lessons delivered over a 10-week period, with each lesson lasting 40 to 45 minutes. These sessions incorporate a variety of teaching methods, including group work, role-plays, pair discussions, and games, to encourage active student participation. Lessons feature videos produced by youth, sharing real-life stories that enhance understanding and engagement.

Each lesson is supported by clear outlines, activity sheets, homework assignments, and teacher notes to ensure structured and effective learning. Starting from the second lesson, students review concepts from previous lessons, helping to reinforce knowledge and skills. Performance on homework assignments provides feedback on student comprehension.

Teaching The REAL Strategies & Violence Prevention

A core element of the DARE curriculum is teaching students the REAL resistance strategies: Refuse, Explain, Avoid, and Leave. Through enjoyable activities and practice scenarios, students build confidence in applying these techniques to resist peer pressure and make healthy choices.

The program also addresses violence prevention through multiple lessons. Students learn that violence is never a solution to stress or anger. They explore positive stress management and communication skills that reduce hostility and promote effective interaction. Lessons on bullying teach students how to recognize, respond to, and report bullying behaviors while emphasizing empathy and support for victims.

Expanding Reach & Cultural Inclusivity

To extend its impact, the DARE program includes additional instruction for 7th and 8th graders. The 7th grade curriculum reinforces earlier lessons, while 8th graders receive supplementary education through the “Truth About Drugs” component integrated into their health classes.

Materials are provided in Spanish and include overhead slides and in-class worksheets to accommodate diverse learning needs and promote inclusivity within the school community.

Locations

Click on the window icon (upper right corner) of the map below to expand. List of all program locations is included with expanded view of map. Locations are also listed on this page below the map.