As part of our youth and anti-drug program, the Department is a member of the nationwide Drug Abuse Resistance Education program. Known as D.A.R.E., this program integrates police officers and school teachers in the delivery of educational material dealing with unlawful drugs, violence, youth gangs, and other social issues.

The Department first started the program in the Bowie Elementary School in 1991. We have also conducted a special D.A.R.E. program at Bowie Intermediate School. The core program is taught to all 5th graders by one of our D.A.R.E. Certified uniformed police officers.  Our program sessions are primarily taught by Investigator Guy Green.

The course itself follows a 10-week schedule and provides children with the knowledge and understanding they need to help them recognize and resist the many subtle pressures that may influence them to experiment with drugs, gangs and violence. The program also focuses on feelings relating to self-esteem, interpersonal and communication skills, decision making and positive alternatives to drug abuse behavior.

The ten lessons covered by D.A.R.E. are:

  • Purposes and Overview of the D.A.R.E. program

  • Tobacco and You

  • Smoke Screen (Marijuana)

  • Alcohol and You

  • The Real Truth

  • Friendship Foundations

  • Putting it Together

  • Personal Action

  • Practice! Practice! Practice!

  • D.A.R.E. Culmination

The D.A.R.E. program instruction process uses a variety of delivery means designed to encourage students to solve problems of major importance in their lives. These include interactive discussion, group-participation exercises, and cooperative-learning activities, facilitating.

Cooperative learning is an important strategy that is used throughout the D.A.R.E. middle school program. Learning to function as a responsible, sharing member of a group is a key factor in helping students to achieve good character and citizenship.

If you would like more information about the Department's D.A.R.E. program, please call Investigator Guy Green, (940) 872-2251 or by e-mail.

You may also want to visit the D.A.R.E. America web site at www.dare.com  for information about the program at the national level. This site also has research reports about the effectiveness of the D.A.R.E. program that you may find interesting.