Township of Long Hill
Long Hill Uniform Police Patch
Police Department
264 Mercer Street, Stirling, NJ, 07980
Non-Emergency Phone 908-647-1800
Fax: 908-647-0355

EMERGENCIES CALL 9-1-1

DRUG ABUSE RESISTANCE EDUCATION

D.A.R.E. is a drug abuse and violence prevention education program that began in Los Angeles in 1983 and has spread across the country, through urban and rural communities. Last year, the curriculum had been updated and improved. The program provides students with the skills to recognize and resist the social pressures to experiment with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Lessons include D.A.R.E. Decision-Making Model, Tobacco Education, Alcohol Education, The Real Truth in Advertising, and Friendship Foundation. It is structured to build positive relationships between the Police Department and the school faculty and community.

The D.A.R.E. Program works at building a trusted relationship between the officer and student and opening up an avenue of communication to influence a child's attitude and future course of action. Parents are also encouraged to participate in the program by assisting with instruction at home and with special activities that the children are encouraged to complete at home. This type of contact enables the parent/guardian to become involved with the child in a positive surrounding and establishes a strong foundation for the child to resist unwanted behaviors.

A shortened introduction to D.A.R.E. program is provided to the students in the 1st grade at Gillette School for 4 weeks.  Each D.A.R.E. officer has completed an 80-hour instructional course and has been trained to teach and instruct the students throughout the school year using a curriculum provided by D.A.R.E. America. The D.A.R.E program is funded by completely by donations.  Each year we have been able to provide the D.A.R.E students with t-shirts and a special graduation.  This is at no cost to the families.

In the 2013-2014 school year, a new program was introduced to the seventh grade at Central Middle schools.  “The Truth about Drugs” program is a ten week program offering students in the 7th grade more age appropriate lessons and open discussion regarding the dangers involved with drug and alcohol use. Students will be instructed on the following topics:

·         Being safe
·         Stranger danger
·         Drugs; helpful or harmful
·         Learning to say “no” and the reasons why to say “no”
·         Dealing with angry feelings

If parents have any questions about the program, feel free to contact Officer J. Scala 908-647-1800 X-509 or email at jscala@longhillpolice.us or Sergeant Sutton (908) 647-1800 ext. 524 or email at rsutton@longhillpolice.us

 

 
Visit the D.A.R.E. Website for more information.