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D.A.R.E. facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
West Vancouver Police Cruiser
Police cruiser painted in D.A.R.E. colors

Drug Abuse Resistance Education, better known as DARE or D.A.R.E., is an educational program for elementary students. Students who enter the program sign a pledge to never use illegal drugs and attend a series of speeches for seventeen weeks provided by local law enforcement warning of the dangers of drug abuse.

Its American headquarters is in Inglewood, California. D.A.R.E. expanded to the United Kingdom in 1995. The program's mascot is Daren the Lion.

History and purpose

The program was developed in 1983 on the initiative of Daryl Gates, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, in collaboration with Harry Handler, superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District. A local program at first, D.A.R.E. spread rapidly in the 1980s. In 1988, Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National D.A.R.E. Day. At the program's height, it was in 75% of American school districts.

Images for kids

  • EveshamDARE

    DARE promotional vehicle

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