Drug Abuse Resistance Education
(D.A.R.E) program

INTRODUCTION
The Highlands Police Department continues to have a great working relationship with the schools in our community partially due to the D.A.R.E program which brings the Police into the school to interact with the students in a classroom setting.  This classroom setting allows the student to see that the Police are here to help and that their D.A.R.E instructor is someone they can trust, and go to in time of need.  The Highlands Police Department D.A.R.E. programs have been extremely successful throughout the years and will continue to bring the students of our community information that they will utilize for the rest of their lives.

INSTRUCTORS
The Highlands Police Department had four D.A.R.E. instructors:

• Lieutenant William Armenti
• Sergeant Joseph Rogers
• Detective Robert Burton
• Patrolman Anthony Macri

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL D.A.R.E. PROGRAM
The Highlands Police Department School Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) program is a nine-week program to help students resist pressures, which may influence them to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, inhalants and other drugs.  The D.A.R.E. program also introduces D.A.R.E. Decision Making Model that will assist students in problem solving and help make wise decisions.  The elementary D.A.R.E program is taught to fifth grade students. 

In order for students to be eligible for participation in the D.A.R.E. culmination and earn a certificate students will be expected to:

• Complete their D.A.R.E. student handbook
• Have Good Attendance
• Demonstrate good behavior during class by following the D.A.R.E. rules.
• Keep their bodies free from drugs
• Write a D.A.R.E. report
• Make a Pledge Statement to make wise decisions about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL D.A.R.E.PROGRAM
The Highlands Police Department also participates in the Middle School D.A.R.E. program that is taught to eighth grade students.  This program is a ten-week program that is condensed and taught once a day for two consecutive weeks.  The Middle School program is a follow up on things in the Elementary School program and also helps students to make wise decisions about peer pressure situations.  The program introduces the theme of students taking charge of their lives, excepting responsibility for their actions, and their legal and social responsibilities within the community.  This program is geared to help students better prepare themselves for high school and the many pressures that come along with that great leap.

 FUNDING
The Highlands Police Department D.A.R.E. programs are funded through two separate fundraisers.  One is the clothing bins that are located in the rear of the Highlands Recreation Center parking lot. The other is the Pepsi machine located in the rear of the Highlands Municipal Building.  Monies generates through these two fundraisers are directly handled by D.A.R.E. New Jersey and are distributed to the D.A.R.E. program as needed.  These funds are used to buy the students pencils, erasers, folders and other D.A.R.E. materials that are used in the classroom.  The D.A.R.E. program also receives some of these items from the Highlands Municipal Drug Alliance that works very closely with both the Police Department and the D.A.R.E. programs to ensure that students receive the best and most accurate information available.

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

www.darenj.com

www.dareamerica.com

www.dare.com

Any other questions regarding the Highlands Police department D.A.R.E. programs please feel free to contact Detective Robert Burton.