D.A.R.E. History:
The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, better known as D.A.R.E., was established in 1983 by the Los Angeles Police Department, the Unified School District of Los Angles, and concerned parents. The three different groups unified in an effort to establish a program that would teach 5 th and 6 th grade children about the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol. The D.A.R.E. curriculum included lessons on gangs, alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, choosing good friends, peer pressure, self-esteem, and make wise decisions. In 1988, Lt. Stan York became the first D.A.R.E. Officer at the Statesboro Police Department.

Current D.A.R.E. Officers:
Currently, the Statesboro Police Department has four D.A.R.E. Officers on its staff: Chief Stan York, Lt. Scott Brunson, Cpl. Steve Gravely, and Apo . Larry Futch. Cpl. Gravely, who graduated from the D.A.R.E. Officer training class in September 2002, is assigned to Sallie Zetterower Elementary School and Mattie Lively Elementary School. Apo . Futch, who graduated from the D.A.R.E. Officer training class in May 2005, is assigned to Julia P. Bryant Elementary School and Mill Creek Elementary School . Cpl. Gravely and Apo . Futch teach approximately 300 Statesboro students the D.A.R.E. curriculum each year.

Current D.A.R.E. Curriculum:
In 2003, the D.A.R.E. curriculum was completely revised and the lessons decreased from 17 to 10. The change in the curriculum was made after research showed students learn more if they are able to 'get involved' or participate in the lesson. Also, the new curriculum asks students questions such as, "what do you think" and "why did you choose that." These types of questions are designed to make students think about their choices. The current D.A.R.E. curriculum consists of 9 classroom lessons and the last lesson, lesson 10, is the D.A.R.E. Graduation which is held at Ogeechee Technical College .

Cpl. Gravely's Talks About D.A.R.E.:
D.A.R.E. is more than just a drug education course; it is a program that helps young children make wise and healthy life decisions. These decisions are based on resisting peer pressure and learning to make your own decisions. Also, D.A.R.E. classes present an opportunity for young people to establish a positive and friendly relationship with a police officer. This relationship breaks down barriers created by fear of the police and helps students understand that police officers care about their well-being. When I started teaching D.A.R.E., I thought, 'if I could change the life of one student, then I have accomplished my goal.' Now, I want to change the lives of as many children as I can. In my opinion, the children of Statesboro benefit from the D.A.R.E. program.

** A special Thank You to Sallie Zettower Elementary School, Mr. Anderson, and Mr. Anderson's 5 th grade class.** (August 24, 2005 Cpl. Steve Gravely)