Certified D.A.R.E. Officers:

Officer Amy Brauning

What is D.A.R.E.?
D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a collaborative effort by law enforcement officers, educators, students, parents and the community to offer an educational program in the classroom to prevent or reduce drug abuse and violence among children and youth. D.A.R.E. is taught by over 25,000 officers in 300,000 classrooms worldwide. Developed by the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Unified School District it targeted fifth and sixth grades only. It now encompasses K-12, as well as a "Parent" program. In 2000 the D.A.R.E. program underwent revision to include lessons on violence, and decision-making along with those on drug and alcohol resistance.

How is D.A.R.E. taught?

D.A.R.E. offers a variety of interactive, group participation, cooperative learning activities which are designed to encourage students to solve problems of major importance in their lives. An important element of D.A.R.E. is the use of student leaders who do not use drugs as positive role models in influencing younger students. A police officer certified to teach D.A.R.E., presents each weekly lesson to fifth grade students for ten weeks and eighth grade students throughout the school year. The classroom teacher maintains an important role in their class, assisting with lessons and classroom management.

Officer Training

Every D.A.R.E. officer participates in an intensive training course given by other law enforcement professionals, teachers, and school administrators. Each officer is evaluated by a team of "Mentor" officers several times before teaching their "Model" lesson as a guest speaker in an elementary school. They are again evaluated by the classroom teacher before being certified to teach D.A.R.E.! Officers may then go on to become certified in the Middle School, High School and Parent Training Curriculums. Each state has a D.A.R.E. Coordinator who is responsible for training in their state. The Springfield Township Police Department D.A.R.E Officer is Amy Brauning . Officer Brauning can be contacted at the Springfield Township Police Department (330)734-4101.