Police Department

D.A.R.E.

They're our kids. Our future. Our legacy. And we all want the same thing for them - the best.

We want their futures to be bright, and secure, and healthy, and safe. And we want business and commerce, law and medicine, manufacturing and selling, teaching and serving.

That's why we care. About their ability to cope with the challenges of life in contemporary America. About their capacity to resist the negative influences around them, to focus instead on their strengths and their potential.

And that's why we support D.A.R.E.
D.A.R.E. To believe in themselves.
D.A.R.E. A simple acronym with a big message.

Drug Abuse Resistance Education
It's a crusade that works.
D.A.R.E. teaches our children - from kindergarten through high school - that popularity can be found in positive behavior, that belonging need not require them to abandon their values, that self-confidence and self worth come from asserting themselves and resisting destructive temptations. D.A.R.E. teaches them not just that they should refuse drugs and alcohol, but how to do so.
D.A.R.E. gives our children the tools they need to build a better, fuller, more satisfying life.
The program was created in 1983 as a joint venture of the Los Angeles Unified School District. D.A.R.E. sends a highly trained police officer into fifth and sixth grade classrooms every week for 17 weeks to teach students how to refuse drugs and alcohol.

Click Here to Download the Program Curriculum

Recognizing Drug Use Signs and Symptoms

There are many signs and symptoms that go along with substance use and abuse. The following list describes some changes you may see take place. In and themselves, the symptoms may not mean a thing. However, if you seek several of them, consider it a warning flag and seek further help. 
It is important to stress that these are possible but not conclusive signs of drug abuse.

Physical Symptoms
1. Acting intoxicated
2. Bloodshot or red eyes, droopy eyelids
3. Imprecise eye movement
4. Wearing sunglasses at inappropriate times
5. Abnormally pale complexion
6. Change in speech patterns and vocabulary patterns
7. Repressed physical development
8. Sudden appetite, especially for sweets
9. Unexplained weigh loss or loss of appetite
10. Neglect of personal appearance, grooming

Behavioral Changes
1. Unexplained periods of moodiness, depression, anxiety, or irritability
2. Strongly inappropriate overreaction to mild criticism or simple request
3. Decreased interaction and communication with others
4. Preoccupation with self; less concern for the feeling of others
5. Loss of interest in previously important things such as hobbies and sports
6. Loss of motivation and enthusiasm
7. Lethargy, lack of energy and vitality
8. Loss of ability to assume responsibility
9. Need for instant gratification
10. Changes in values, ideas and beliefs
11. Change in friends; unwillingness to introduce friends to family
12. Violating curfews
13. Having large sums of money

School Changes
1. Decline in academic performance; drop in grades
2. Reduced short-term memory, concentration and attention span
3. Loss of energy, motivation and interest in school activities
4. Frequent tardiness and absenteeism
5. Less interest in participation in classes and meetings
6. Sleeping in class or meetings
7. Untidy appearance, dress and personal hygiene
8. Slow to respond, forgetful, apathetic
9. Increased discipline/behavioral problems
10. Change in peer group
11. Disappearance of money or items of value

Physical Evidence
1. Odor of marijuana (like burnt rope) in room or on clothing
2. Incense or room deodorizers
3. Eye drops, mouthwash
4. Possession of marijuana cigarettes (rolled and twisted at the end)
5. Possession of paraphernalia: cigarette rolling papers: pipes: pipe filters: screens: strainers: roach clips (metal clips to hold the butts of marijuana joint): "bongs"' water pipes (usually glass or plastic): small spoons' straws, razor blades, mirrors (for use of cocaine); stash cans (soft drink, beer, deodorant and other cans that unscrew at the top or bottom); unfamiliar small containers or locked boxes; plastic baggies or small glass vials.
6. Possession of drug-related books, magazines, comics

Prevention
Prevention begins with being:
1. Understanding - "I realize you're under a lot of pressure from friends to use drugs"
2. Firm - "As your parent I cannot allow you to engage in harmful activities."
3. Supportive - "I'll help you find a way to say "no" to drugs."
4. Self-examining - "Are my own alcohol and drug consumption habits exerting a bad influence on my child?"

Prevention does not begin with:
1. Sarcasm - "Don't think I don't know"
2. Accusations - "You're lying"
3. Stigmatizing - "You're a terrible person"
4. Sympathy - seeking - "Don't you see how much you're hurting me"
5. Self-blaming - - "It's all my fault"