D.A.R.E., a relationship-building program between law enforcement and children, returns to Rock County schools Feb. 27 after an absence of several years.
Having additional staff at the Rock County Sheriff’s Office is making it possible for deputy Jeff Stratton to return to his school resource officer position, at least for a few hours a week, to implement the D.A.R.E. program in fifth-grade classrooms.
The program’s underwent significant changes since it was last offered in schools in the mid-2010s, when the program transitioned away from “Drug Abuse Resistance Education.”
“Now it’s really built around making good choices,” Stratton said. “Not just about drugs and alcohol.”
Stratton completed a two-week training course in January, where he learned how to lead students through various scenarios. The scenarios allow the fifth-graders to talk about challenges they may have already faced.
Focus is on showing the students they have a choice in the discussions they make versus just listening to lectures from a peace officer.
D.A.R.E. now stands for Define a problem, Assess your options, Respond (make your decision), and Evaluate.
Drug and alcohol resistance is emphasized for a week or two in the new 10-week program, but other program topics include bullying, peer pressure and tools for good decision-making.
Stratton said the new approach leads students down a better life path, while developing two-way communication with law enforcement.
Positive communications became a hallmark of the program that began in Los Angeles in 1983 before the nationwide curriculum was developed.
D.A.R.E. came to Luverne in the late 1980s.
The program changed in 2013 when researchers determined that the program focus didn’t reduce the abuse of drugs or alcohol as intended.
Stratton became the school resource officer last year to work in Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek school districts.
Months into the new job, Stratton was reassigned to patrol duty due to a staff shortage and upcoming retirements.
The last two open patrol positions will be filled later this month. Stratton anticipates returning to the schools full time in May, when the two patrol officers finish their introductory training.
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board approved the return of the D.A.R.E. program at their Feb. 13 meeting.
Luverne School Board members are expected to approve the return of the program to the fifth-grade curriculum at their Thursday night, Feb. 23, meeting.