5. The D.A.R.E. program is taught in Halton Region schools by seven specially trained police officers. In addition to the D.A.R.E. Program, these officers provide other educational programs to primary grades (K-8) and act as resource officers for school administration.
6. The D.A.R.E. Program in Halton Region is offered to all Grade 6 students in both the Public and Catholic schools – close to 7,000 students. Students spend approximately 7.5 hours in the program over the course of a semester. A graduation ceremony takes place at the end of the program.
7. D.A.R.E. is a unique partnership between schools, police, and parents.www.darehalton.com
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9. The D.A.R.E. curriculum was developed by educators and is taught by specially trained police officers who act as facilitators, not lecturers
10. The program focus is on responsible decision making models & resisting peer pressure
11. Implementation of local D.A.R.E. programs is a community decision and is a strong example of a positive community based police program
12. D.A.R.E. is not just a drug education program; it is crime and violence prevention in our elementary schools
18. D.A.R.E. Officers can serve as conduits to provide information beyond drug-related topics
19. D.A.R.E. opens dialogue between the school, police, and parents to deal with other issueswww.darehalton.com
20. Core Message The D.A.R.E. curriculum challenges students by having them participate in active learning. The benefit to the students is the strong foundation of decision-making skills that they apply to real life situations about the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and inhalants. These important decision-making skills are acted on through group and paired activities. The students are actively engaged as they learn how to cope with the pressures associated with adolescence. D- Define A - Assess R - Respond E - Evaluate www.darehalton.com
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22. Graduation At the completion of the 10 week in class program students are given the opportunity to make a public statement about their choices to resist drugs and violence. Top essays are chosen and presented in a group assembly where students receive D.A.R.E. graduation certificates and medallions to celebrate their accomplishments. Parents are invited to attend the D.A.R.E. graduation ceremonies. www.darehalton.com
23. Why Support D.A.R.E.? “31% of Ontario Grade 7 students report using alcohol by Grade 6” Source: CAMH OSDUHS Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey. 2007.; Drug Use Among Ontario Students In Ontario we have Government, educators, law enforcement, social agencies and parents all working together to bring these alarming statistics down. And strong community initiatives such as the D.A.R.E. program are helping to make a real difference. In the 2009 study, this statistic showed marked improvement with 17% of Grade 7 students in Ontario who reporting alcohol use by Grade 6. But is it enough? www.darehalton.com
24. Why Support D.A.R.E.? No. We do not think so. Past Year Drug Use (%) Source: CAMH OSDUHS Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey. 2009.; Drug Use Among Ontario Students “Alcohol and tobacco are the drugs most readily available to Ontario students, and smoking is the primary cause of preventable illnesses, disabilities, and premature deaths in Canada. The learning expectations related to substance use and abuse respond to these facts by focusing on an understanding of the effects of drugs – prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, illicit drugs, tobacco, and alcohol – and the consequences of their use. This knowledge is integrated with the development of a variety of living skills that help students make and maintain healthy choices.” The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1-8 Health and Physical Education - Interim Edition - 2010 http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/healthcurr18.pdf www.darehalton.com
25. Why Support D.A.R.E.? Because it Kids are our future. We live in one of the safest communities in Canada because of strong community initiatives like the D.A.R.E program. D.A.R.E. is an important part of the Halton community and provides the opportunity for trained police officers to work closely with educators in support of safe schools and healthy students. The D.A.R.E. program is more than just drug prevention education; it teaches students good decision making skills to help them avoid high-risk behavior to ensure they grow up healthy, safe and secure. Works. www.darehalton.com
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27. 96% agreed their child spoke at home as a result of the D.A.R.E. Program’s influence.
28. 96% agreed that the D.A.R.E. Program had a positive impact on their child.Visit our website at www.darehalton.com for full survey results.
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30. 96% agreed the D.A.R.E. Program was presented to their students at an age-appropriate level.
31. 98% agreed the D.A.R.E. Officer developed a positive rapport with their students.
32. 80% agreed they could see a difference in attitudes towards drugs and drug abuse in students who took the D.A.R.E. Program.Visit our website at www.darehalton.com for full survey results.
33. Why Support D.A.R.E.? Because it Works. “My officer spent time at recess to get to know the children in the school. The relationship established with a law enforcement officer is priceless. She also drops in periodically to say ‘hi’ and reinforces the bond with all the children in the school. I believe that this positive relationship with law enforcement will also be a positive influence when the students are faced with tough decisions in the future.” Visit our website at www.darehalton.com for full survey results.
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35. 98% agreed that the D.A.R.E. Officer had a positive impact on their students.
36. 96% agreed that having D.A.R.E. facilitated by a police officer makes it more effective.
37. 99% agreed their school benefitted from the D.A.R.E. Officer’s presence in their school.Visit our website at www.darehalton.com for full survey results. www.darehalton.com
38. Why Support D.A.R.E.? Because it Works. “I believe the D.A.R.E. Program has a profound impact on most students. I have heard senior-level students refer back to their D.A.R.E. experiences, so I believe it has a lasting impact. It may not keep them from experimenting, but the knowledge base is essential.” Visit our website at www.darehalton.com for full survey results. www.darehalton.com
39. Partners in Education For the past 22 years, D.A.R.E. Halton has encompassed a unique partnership between the Halton Region Police Service and the Halton District & Halton Catholic District School Boards. The Halton Regional Police Service provide, train and fund the dedicated personnel required to execute the program. Both the Halton District & Halton Catholic District School Boards recognize and support the program by incorporating the 10 week course into the grade six class curriculum. www.darehalton.com
40. D.A.R.E. Funding Funding for the in class Grade Six D.A.R.E. program is provided by the Halton Region Police Service. Seven full time specially trained School Resource Officers teach the program to close to 7,000 students in the Halton Public and Catholic District School Boards. www.darehalton.com
41. D.A.R.E. Funding Additional funding is required for the in class materials used by the D.A.R.E. Resource Officers. This funding is provided by the D.A.R.E. Halton Civilian Volunteer Board, which raises money locally to pay for workbooks, in class support materials, graduation supplies and parent/community resource materials. The D.A.R.E. Board in Halton is a registered non profit and all money raised by the volunteers goes directly to supporting the program. The D.A.R.E. Board also works with corporate partners in Halton and the GTA to raise important funding for the program. Charitable Registration Number 89185 9860 RR www.darehalton.com
42. D.A.R.E. Funding FUNDING HELP IS STILL NEEDED Restrictions on School Fundraising Activity Due to growing pressures to limit the number of fundraising events hosted by individual schools, D.A.R.E. is no longer able to hold fundraisers for the program in the schools. This has had a significant impact on the budgets available for the in-class program materials. School Board Budgets Tightening When available the School Boards have provided a portion of funding required for in-class materials. However, given the increase pressure on School Board budgets financial support has been severely limited and in some cases completely eliminated. Economic Downturn Although community corporate partners are still an important source of support and funding for the D.A.R.E. program, economic concerns have impacted on the amount contributed through this funding source. www.darehalton.com
43. It Takes a Village Everyone involved recognizes that D.A.R.E works. From the officers, to the school administrators to the children themselves. But parent and community involvement are key. With your support, we can continue to develop and deliver a program to help kids make smart, healthy choices in life. Parents are the primary educators of their children with respect to learning about values, appropriate behavior, and ethno cultural, spiritual, and personal beliefs and traditions, and they act as significant role models for their children. It is therefore important for schools and parents to work together to ensure that home and school provide a mutually supportive framework for young people’s education The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1-8 Health and Physical Education - Interim Edition - 2010 http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/healthcurr18.pdf www.darehalton.com
44. How can you help? Give your time The Halton Civilian Board is a volunteer organization, whose mandate is to assist in raising funds for the necessary in-class materials used by the program, as well as developing vehicles through which to communicate the importance of the program to parents and partners within the community. Volunteers to sit on the board are always needed. No special skills are required, just positive energy and commitment to our kids. Donate Funds The reality is that to continue to develop and deliver a program of this quality takes money. Any financial support, either as an individual, through corporate donations or through school parent councils are a vital component of our continued success. Our kids are worth it! Spread the word This is an important community initiative, so help spread the word – to your friends, family, school community or corporate group. Working together can change the future. www.darehalton.com
45. Contact Us For Information on the DARE program please contact: Sergeant Craig Platt 905-825-4747 ext. 4901 Craig.Platt@haltonpolice.ca HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY We are always looking for help with our various community activities. For information on becoming a volunteer and working as a “Friend of DARE” please contact : Mike Gorman, Co-Chair DARE Board of Directors mike@darehalton.com www.darehalton.com