D.A.R.E.

D.A.R.E
1100 Duportail Rd.
Berwyn, PA 19312
Phone: (610) 408-3656
Fax: (610) 644-5394
dare@tredyffrin.org

• D.A.R.E.
  http://www.dare.com
• D.A.R.E. America
  http://www.dare-america.com/index_3.htm

The overarching goal of the entire D.A.R.E. program is to significantly reduce/eliminate the use of alcohol, tobacco, and or other drugs and the use of violent behavior by young people. The primary objectives of the 5th grade program are directed towards developing the capacities needed to enable students to take charge of their lives with particular emphasis on substance and abuse. Those objectives include the following:

1. Students will understand the physical, emotional, social and legal risks and effects of Alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and inhalants on their developing brains and bodies.
2. Students will compare and contrast the normative beliefs of peers in their classroom with the national data about teen use of ATOD (alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs)and
3. where dissonance emerges, revise their understandings/beliefs about how many peers do not use ATOD.
4. Students will expand their knowledge about a variety of positive things to do in their school and community (pro-social behavior) that do not involve the use of ATOD and will choose to engage in those activities rather than use ATOD.
5. Students will understand what refusal strategies, sound communication skills, and assertiveness and resistance skills are and will be able to apply them in Developmentally appropriate ways in a variety of life-like situations.

The program concludes with a graduation ceremony at which students receive diplomas, awards, medals and D.A.R.E. caps. A graduation luncheon is sponsored by Jim Amato, owner of the Outback Steakhouse in the Gateway Shopping Center, in recognition of how important this program is to the community.

D.A.R.E. Lesson Plan:

Lesson 1: Purposes and overview of the D.A.R.E. program- After introducing himself to the students the instructor will describe the components of the D.A.R.E. program. The students will also be introduced to the D.A.R.E. Decision-Making Model for solving problems. Members of the class will be able to tell you, in their own words, the theme of the D.A.R.E. program and the steps used in the Decision-Making Model.

Lesson 2: Tobacco and You- Students will begin to understand the reality of low tobacco use amongst teens. They will receive a basic knowledge of tobacco and its harmful effects. Use of the Decision-Making Model will be reinforced and enhanced through group role-play activities.

Lesson 3: Smoke Screen- Students will develop an accurate view of the role of advertising in promoting tobacco use. A basic knowledge of the harmful effects of marijuana and tobacco on the body will be learned. Students will, again, practice the Decision-Making Model through scenario based group activities.

Lesson 4: Alcohol and You- This lesson will help students demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge of alcohol facts and its harmful effects. Students will learn about the reality of low alcohol use among teenagers. The class will apply the Decision-Making Model to scenarios based on alcohol and drug use.

Lesson 5: The Real Truth- Help students identify the harmful effects of inhalants. Students will also identify and develop alternatives to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Class will evaluate alcohol advertisements and their impact promoting alcohol use among youth.

Lesson 6: Friendship Foundations- Students develop communication skills to build and maintain healthy relationships. Students will practice the Decision-Making Model using situations based on peer pressure.

Lesson 7: Putting It Together- Students learn and develop skills that will help them resist pressures to use drugs. They will demonstrate their ability to respond confidently when refusing drug offers. Practice the Decision-Making process as a group and individually.

Lesson 8: Personal Action- Student will identify internal pressures that influence decisions regarding drug use. Students will apply the decision making process to internal pressure situations. Students will synthesize material learned in their D.A.R.E. reports.

Lesson 9: Practice! Practice! Practice!- Students will make a commitment to be Drug Free.
Students will demonstrate refusal skills for alcohol tobacco and other drugs. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the D.A.R.E. curriculum. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the decision making process. Students are instructed on how to prepare their D.A.R.E. report.

Lesson 10: Special Event- D.A.R.E. Graduation.

The D.A.R.E. program is further enhanced with activities and demonstrations from various divisions of the Police Department. There is a Drug Identification class were students are shown a display of "Real Drugs" such as marijuana, cocaine, LSD, PCP, heroin, amphetamines and barbiturates. Each drug and its effect are explained in detail. There are also K-9 demos with the Departments drug and bomb dogs. The students are given the opportunity ask the experts questions and learn more about their community, their school and their police department.