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Drug Abuse Resistance Education |
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Officer Kenneth Kline
D.A.R.E. Officer
The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program was started with the Los Angeles Police Department in 1983, and is taught in 75 percent of the nation's school districts and over 43 countries around the world. The Westland Police Department has been active in the D.A.R.E. programs since 1990 and will celebrate its 20 anniversary in 2010.
D.A.R.E. is a police officer led series of classroom lessons that teaches children how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence free lives. The officer who teaches the program receives extensive training which is updated yearly.
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 also equip kids with the tools that will enable them to avoid negative influences and instead, allow then to focus on their strengths and potential.
Additionally, D.A.R.E. establishes a positive relationship between students and the police. The students see the police as mentors and friends and feel comfortable talking to them. This positive relationship helps the community and the police.
The Westland Police D.A.R.E. program is taught in 16 elementary schools in three 11 week semesters throughout the school year. Each year over 1,900 fifth and six grade students receive the program in their classroom. In addition to the Wayne-Westland schools there are two Livonia Schools in Westland along with 2 parochial and one charter school.
The Westland Police D.A.R.E. program operates solely on donations from the community. Each year D.A.R.E. holds two roller skating parties for current students in the Wayne-Westland school district. These raise money for the next school year. D.A.R.E. accepts donations to the program from individuals and groups who wish to support the program and bring or send donations to the police station. D.A.R.E. also holds other fund raisers throughout the year at various locations.
If you have any further questions about the Westland Police D.A.R.E. Program you can contact Officer Kline at (734)722-DARE (3273).
Visit the D.A.R.E. website, click here.
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