Executive Director of D.A.R.E. America
Charlie Parsons
Every youngster should have the opportunity to grow up healthy, safe, secure, and equipped with the skills needed to succeed in life.
D.A.R.E. teaches children – from kindergarten through high school – that popularity can be rooted in positive behavior, and that social acceptance doesn’t require abandoning one’s values. Through D.A.R.E., youngsters learn that self-confidence and self-worth can soar if they assert themselves and refuse destructive temptations. Not only does D.A.R.E. repeatedly communicate anti-drug, anti-gang and anti-violence messages, but it provides students with real-world ways to reject negative influences and begin building the foundation for a rewarding life.
Since 1983, highly trained police officers have been sharing these messages and skills with students nationwide and across the globe. In fact, D.A.R.E. has proven so successful that it is now taught in 80% of America’s school districts, as well as in 54 countries around the world. D.A.R.E. also is the official global program of the Department of Defense Schools.
The D.A.R.E. Strategy
D.A.R.E. follows a carefully structured anti-drug, anti-gang and anti-violence curriculum, focusing on topics such as:
These lessons are taught by street-wise police officers – seasoned professionals who’ve seen firsthand how drugs and violence can destroy promising lives. And because D.A.R.E. is a kindergarten through twelfth-grade program, students build relationships with these officers and come to view them as trusted allies. By reaching out to kids throughout their school years, D.A.R.E. continually fortifies these youngsters’ ability to make positive choices and forge a successful future.
This year, more than 36-million American children will benefit from D.A.R.E.’s elementary curriculum. An additional 26-million kids, both in the United States and abroad, will be impacted by other D.A.R.E. components such as an after-school initiative called D.A.R.E. + P.L.U.S. (Play and Learn Under Supervision). D.A.R.E. also provides parent education programs.
Most importantly, D.A.R.E. makes a difference. More than 30 studies attest to the program’s effectiveness in preventing drug, alcohol and tobacco use, as well as in steering youngsters away from gangs and violence. Not surprisingly, four U.S. presidents, congress, as well as many governors and state legislators have lauded D.A.R.E. In fact, since 1988, one day each year has been declared – by presidential proclamation – as National D.A.R.E. Day.
D.A.R.E. America
D.A.R.E. America, which is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, is dedicated to establishing new D.A.R.E. programs and enhancing existing ones. Specific D.A.R.E. America functions include: providing financial support for local training; coordinating fundraising and sponsorship opportunities; and monitoring instruction standards as well as program results. D.A.R.E. America also provides participating schools with: state-of-the-art educational materials; program outlines; student workbooks; and drug-awareness information for parents and other community members. In short, everything that’s needed for local D.A.R.E. programs to succeed.
D.A.R.E. America, Worldwide
Executive Director Charlie Parsons
P.O. Box 512090
Los Angeles, CA 90051
Phone: 800.223.DARE
Fax: 310.215.0180
E-mail: Charlie.Parsons@dare.com