The D.A.R.E. Program, an acronym for "Drug Abuse Resistance Education" program, is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons designed to teach youth to recognize and resist the many direct and subtle pressures that influence them to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, drugs or to engage in violence. The program was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles and has proven so successful that it is now being implemented in 75 percent of our nation's school districts and in more than 43 countries around the world.

D.A.R.E. offers preventive strategies to empower children to say no to drugs, stay out of gangs, and enhance self-esteem. These strategies focus on the development of social competence, communication skills, self-esteem, empathy, decision-making, encouragement, positive reinforcement, positive role models, and alternative activities to drug abuse and other destructive behaviors.

Each year, approximately 1,000 Alhambra students participate in the city's D.A.R.E. curriculum. The program runs for 17 weeks and is taught at the fifth grade level. The D.A.R.E. officer speaks about the proper use of 9-1-1, strangers, drugs, gangs, violence, good touch/bad touch, and other important lessons that young people need to know. In addition, the D.A.R.E. Officer assists school administrators and teachers with problems that occur on campus, as well as acting as a counselor for children who have been in trouble.

The Alhambra Police Department sponsors an annual three-day D.A.R.E. Camp that is generally held at the YMCA Camp Ta Ta Pochon in the San Bernardino Mountains. The eighty-five participants, who range in age from ten to twelve years, are nominated by the school's principal to attend. The goal of the camp is to enhance self-esteem, provide drug-free activities, demonstrate positive peer role models and encourage good sportsmanship in competition. Alhambra police officers participate as counselors and team leaders, providing the youngsters an opportunity to interact and develop positive feelings about law enforcement. The camp experience is designed to provide good clean fun geared to show the benefits of life without drugs. There is no cost to the families of the children who participate in the D.A.R.E. Camp and each participant receives an assortment of prizes while at camp. Businesses and community organizations typically donate the prizes. The trip is also funded by the annual D.A.R.E. Golf Tournament, which is held at the Alhambra Golf Course at the end of May.

For additional information about the D.A.R.E. Program, contact Susie Carranza at (626) 570-5111.