Sheriff Brown Congratulates the First DARE Class Graduates of the Year

Santa Barbara - December 15th, 2007

The New D.A.R.E. program was brought back to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department by Sheriff Brown earlier this year. The New D.A.R.E. curriculum integrates the latest in science and research based strategies going beyond traditional drug abuse and violence prevention programs. Known as the world’s largest and most effective educational delivery network, the New D.A.R.E. is highly interactive, using small group discussions and role-playing of real life situations facing children in today’s society.

The New D.A.R.E. is providing children with the skills needed to recognize and resist the subtle and overt pressures that cause them to experiment with drugs or become involved in gangs or violent activities, focusing on temptation, peer pressure, and the use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Scientific evaluation of the program has documented that children who complete the New D.A.R.E. program have improved decision making skills, view drug use as unacceptable, and possess a significantly decreased likelihood of ever using drugs.

This school year six schools completed the New D.A.R.E. program; Vista de las Cruces Elementary School, Benjamin Foxen Elementary School, Arellanes Elementary School, Bonita Elementary School, St. Luis de Montford Elementary School,  Cuyama Elementary School, and St. Luis de Montford Elementary School. All schools are located in the Santa Maria and Cuyama Valley. Congratulations to the 304 students who completed the New D.A.R.E. program and graduated this week.

At the beginning of the next school semester of the 2007/2008 school year six more schools will be participating in the New D.A.R.E. program; Ballard School, Los Olivos School, Mary Buren School, Olga Reed School, Santa Ynez School, and Winifred Wollam School. Future expansion of the New D.A.R.E. program will include several schools located in the South County area at the beginning of the 2008/2009 school year.

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