Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program
Although the core curriculum is taught to the fifth grade students, a seventh grade program is also taught in each of the schools. The program reaches students on nine campuses. Drug Abuse Resistance Education is taught in the Bismarck, Central, North County and West County schools. The program is presented by Gary Carver a specially trained and certified deputy. Gary is in the classroom each week for seventeen weeks with each session being 45 to 50 minutes.
The St. Francois County D.A.R.E. Program is geared toward different grades and age groups.
The core fifth grade program reaches children when they are most receptive. As they begin forming their ideas and opinions about drug abuse, the program provides them information; allowing them to make informed, intelligent decisions about drugs and violence, and the peer, social, and media influences that directly affect such decisions.
The middle school program is geared toward seventh grade students. These young teenagers are now experiencing a period in their lives in which they have more freedom, opportunity, and exposure. Decisions are made at this time in their lives that will effect them for many years to come. The middle school curriculum provides both drug resistance information, as well as character development lessons.
Deputy Carver spends a great deal of time with his students. Eating lunch with them and playing on the playground. Participating in special events at school as well as after school, a special bond develops , and a mutual respect and friendship soon form. Deputy Carver is a wonderful resource for the students. He also provides many services for the community, often being asked to provide information to area educators, civic organizations and parents.
The curriculum is carefully controlled, and includes lessons such as, Understanding the Effects of Drugs, Considering Consequences, Changing Beliefs About Drug Use, Learning Resistance Techniques, Building Self-esteem, Assertiveness, Managing Stress, Reducing Violence, Media Influences, Making Good Decisions, Positive Alternatives, and Role Models, Resisting Gang Violence, Respect, Responsibility, and Good Citizenship. These lessons target drug resistance, but also build good citizenship and values. D.A.R.E. provides a positive role model and reinforces values and ethics. The St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department D.A.R.E. program is a vital weapon in our war on drugs, and an important link with our community.
D.A.R.E. Summer Sports
Searching for a way to stay in contact with children throughout the summer months, the D.A.R.E. program of the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department sponsors several different ball teams. Some are coached by the D.A.R.E. Deputy Gary Carver with help from parents in the community. These games allows Deputy Carver not only to stay in touch with the kids on the team, but also to meet parents and interact with the many young people who come to the ball fields to “hang out”. These summer programs have proven to be valuable over the last several years and are increasing in popularity.
D.A.R.E. Golf Tournament
In the D.A.R.E. program we like to get the involvement of the community. Our purpose is to make everyone feel a part of D.A.R.E. It’s a good program and everyone likes to be part of a good program. In St. Francois County we accomplish this is by having an annual D.A.R.E. golf tournament. Co-sponsored by the Sheriff’s Department and the Park Hills Lions Club, many people spend several months setting up this one big day of fun for all. Many civic minded businesses and individuals sponsor the tournament in many different ways. At the end of the day a meal is provided and awards are presented. Many say this is one of the best tournaments in our area. The tournament’s objective is to provide the funds so necessary to maintain and support the Lions club and, primarily, the children, in St. Francois County, who are participating in the D.A.R.E. program. The money provides T-shirts and other classroom supplies for the St. Francois County D.A.R.E. program.
McGruff: Take A Bite Out of Crime
McGruff, accompanied by one of our deputies, spends a lot of time visiting classrooms as well as nursing homes and other facilities. He loves going to parades and visiting the people in St. Francois county. If he can influence one person to take a bite out of crime, then it’s a job worth doing.
Read more about the National Crime Prevention Council here.
Click here for “Stranger Danger” Prevention Tips for All Ages!
To contact Dare Officer Gary Carver please email [email protected]