D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles, and presently has more than 50,000 local law enforcement officers certified to teach the program in 75% of our nation's school districts and in more than 43 countries around the world.

How D.A.R.E. Works
D.A.R.E.'s primary mission is to provide children with the information and skills they need to live drug- and violence-free lives. The mission is to equip kids with the tools that will enable them to avoid negative influences and focus on their strengths and potential. 

D.A.R.E. also establishes positive relationships between students and law enforcement, teachers, parents, and other community leaders. Every youngster should have the opportunity to grow up healthy, safe, secure, and equipped with the skills needed to succeed in life. Contemporary America, however, is rampant with challenges that could keep children from a positive life path.

Curriculum and Officer Training
The D.A.R.E. curriculum is designed to be taught by police officers whose training and experience give them the background needed to answer sophisticated questions often posed by young students about drugs and crime.

Prior to entering the D.A.R.E. program, officers undergo 80 hours of special training in areas such as child development, classroom management, teaching techniques, and communication skills. 40 hours of additional training are provided to D.A.R.E. instructors to prepare them for teaching the high school curriculum.

The City of Hiram Police Department has established a D.A.R.E. partnership with Hiram Elementary School. For more information on the D.A.R.E. program in Hiram, please contact us at (770) 943-3087.