South Whitehall Township, PA

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The D.A.R.E. Mission

“Teaching students good decision-making skills to help them lead safe and healthy lives.”

The D.A.R.E. Vision

“A world in which students everywhere are empowered to respect others and choose to lead lives free from violence, substance use, and other dangerous behaviors.”

The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program is a nationally recognized initiative designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to make safe and responsible choices. Originally developed in 1983, D.A.R.E. has evolved beyond its initial focus on drug prevention to address a broad range of high-risk behaviors, including bullying, violence, and internet safety.

Led by specially trained law enforcement officers, D.A.R.E. is typically delivered in elementary and middle schools through an interactive classroom curriculum. The program emphasizes decision-making, critical thinking, and effective communication to help students resist peer pressure and avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and other dangerous activities.

By building positive relationships between police officers and youth, D.A.R.E. fosters trust and community engagement while empowering young people to lead lives free from substance abuse and violence.

The South Whitehall Township Police Department currently has five certified D.A.R.E. instructors. The department has been consecutively providing D.A.R.E. instruction since 1996.

For more information on the D.A.R.E. program, visit their site here.