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1. How to keep your child drug free?

"Parents: You Matter" This research-based presentation increases parents' understanding and confidence in preventing and addressing drug and alcohol issues.

"Parents: You Matter"

2. What is my child being taught in D.A.R.E.?

D.A.R.E. has 9 lessons that are taught once a week for 9 weeks. The topics covered are how to make good decisions, facts about Tobacco, Tobacco advertising, Alcohol, Alcohol Advertising, Marijuana and inhalants, how to be confident, how to choose good friends, resist peer pressure and stay out of risky situations.

3. What must my child do to successfully complete D.A.R.E.?

Students are given a workbook called a D.A.R.E. planner. They must complete each lesson in the planner to pass D.A.R.E. The final test in D.A.R.E. is a D.A.R.E. report on what they have learned. They must also show good citizenship, obey the law, and have good attendance.

4. My child is on probation can he still participate in D.A.R.E.?

Yes. All students start with a clean slate when they start the program. However if a student receives a police ticket or gets into serious trouble with the school (i.e. fighting, bullying etc.) they will be removed from the program.

5. My child has a learning disability, can my child still participate?

Absolutely. We will work with teachers and school aids to make sure every student enjoys and understands the D.A.R.E. program.

6. What happens at the D.A.R.E. graduation?

Students who complete the program will get to participate in a fun D.A.R.E. graduation program. D.A.R.E. graduations are usually televised, and depending on the school, students receive a D.A.R.E. t-shirts, prizes, meet local athletes, and successful members of the community. Parents are encouraged to attend and support their child. D.A.R.E. graduations are a fun way to congratulate D.A.R.E. students on completing the course and choosing to be drug free.

7. If a student does not do their work can they still participate in the D.A.R.E. graduation?

No, part of being in D.A.R.E. is learning to be responsible and accountable for your actions. Students must complete the assignments to graduate. Officers, teachers and aids will help all the students as much as possible to help them to succeed. D.A.R.E. is considered a privilege and not a right, and student will be accountable for his or her actions.

8. How is D.A.R.E. funded?

Funding for the program does not come from the school district or the Police Department. Donations through the united way, and several very generous companies and families in our area fund the program.

9. How can I donate to the D.A.R.E. program?

Contact the Pocatello Police Department Community Services Division at 208-234-6115. 100% of your donation will go to the kids in the program.

10. Why is D.A.R.E. taught by a Police Officer?

The D.A.R.E. curriculum is taught by Police Officers whose training and experience give them the background needed to answer the challenging questions often posed by young students about drugs and crime. Prior to entering the D.A.R.E. program, officers undergo 80 hours of special training in areas such as child development, classroom management, teaching techniques, and communication skills. The kids also get a chance to get to know a local police officer. This opens the communication lines between law enforcement and students.

11. What if I do not want my student to participate in D.A.R.E.?

A parent letter is sent home advising the parent when the D.A.R.E. program will be taught. If you do not wish for your child to participate in D.A.R.E., it is your responsibly to contact the school or D.A.R.E. Officer.

12. Why isn't Methamphetamine and other hard core drugs taught in D.A.R.E.?

The goal of D.A.R.E. is to give kids the confidence and knowledge to say no to all drugs. D.A.R.E. focuses on “gateway” drugs. Gateway drugs are defined as “A habit-forming substance whose use may lead to the abuse of drugs that are more addictive or more dangerous.” Examples of gateway drugs are: Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, and inhalants. Studies have shown that users of methamphetamine (meth) and other hard core drugs, started abusing gateway drugs before they tried the hardcore drugs. Although not all kids who use gateway drugs turn to hard core drugs, nearly all hardcore drug users started with gateway drugs and experimented down to the devastating hardcore drugs. The gateway drugs studied in D.A.R.E. are also shown to be the mostly likely drugs offered to 5th and 6th graders. A supplemental methamphetamine lesson can be taught if time and scheduling permits.