Bell City, Missouri - Six Stoddard County schools are now participating in the D.A.R.E. program instructed by Stoddard County Deputies, Lori O'Dell and Cpl. Andrew Johnson.
Children in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms in six Stoddard County schools today face a multitude of high risk circumstances including the temptation to use drugs and alcohol, violence, bullying and internet safety, not to mention the fear of school violence.
Recently adding Bell City and Advance Schools for the 2019-2020 school year.
In response to these challenges and the long term welfare of our community, Stoddard County Sheriff's Office is launching the D.A.R.E. education curriculum.
For more than three decade, the D.A.R.E. program has been a constant and present fixture throughout many schools in Missouri helping thousands of students understand the risk and exercise good decision making. This science and evidence-based substance abuse prevention education curriculum teaches students good decision making skills that help enable them to lead safe and healthy lives.
Today, every law enforcement agency in America is seeking ways to build positive community-police relations. Clearly, the issues and challenges are complex. While there is no single solution, D.A.R.E. has incorporated features in its education programs which build trust and create positive relationships with students and parents, thereby developing and reinforcing community-based prevention and community-oriented policing with children and families.
About D.A.R.E.
Launched in 1983, D.A.R.E. is a comprehensive K-12 education program taught in thousands of schools throughout America, as well as in 52 other countries. D.A.R.E.'s official mission today is teaching students good decision-making skills to help them to lead safe and healthy lives.
D.A.R.E. education programs are a collaborative effort of the essential components of a community-students, parents, schools, law enforcement, and community leaders. D.A.R.E. places specially trained law enforcement officers in classrooms who deliver science and evidence-based curricula that teach students good decision-making skills that will help lead safe and healthy lives. While D.A.R.E. curricula address drugs, it also focuses on violence, bullying, internet safety, and other high risk circumstances that could be a part of the daily life of students.
For more information on D.A.R.E. education programs, visit www.dare.org/education
