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Berlin Police Officer Steve Arsenault
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Drug Abuse Resistance
Education was started in Los Angeles, California in 1983. It was brought
to New Hampshire in 1989. Berlin started the program during the 91/92 school year. This is my 7th year involved
in the DARE program. The DARE program consists of a 17 week curriculum in which I visit each 5th grade class once a week for approximately 1 hour per session. We talk about different types of drugs and their effects. This includes cigarettes, alcohol, inhalants, and all other illegal drugs. We also go over the consequences of getting involved with those drugs. There are lessons on different tyes of peer pressure and how to say no to the pressures. Other topics that are covered in the lesson plans are self-esteem, being assertive, stress, violence, positive alternatives, decision-making and youth gangs. One lesson plan invites 2-4 high school role models who have stayed drug free throughout their school years. They come to class and are asked as many questions as the 5th grade students can think of. They spend the whole day with the 5th grade students. |
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At the end of the DARE year, we have a large culmination for the students. We usually
have it at night and invite as many people as possible. We try to make this an exciting time for the students to
show them how the community supports them in staying drug free. We hand out certificates, give out shirts, and
also give away prizes for best workbooks, best posters, and best poems or SA, for each class. We invite guest speakers
and also the students put on skits for the crowd. We invite as many law enforcement personal as possible and the
kids are supposed to invite as many people as they can think of. We try to make this event as big as possible. Throughout the DARE program, I try to build a trusting friendship with the students. One way that helps me get to know the students is by having Daren, our DARE mascot. Daren is a lion who is my partner in teaching DARE. He is with me at all times. He is given to different students to hold and take care of throughout the day. We have a lion for a mascot because lions stand for courage and also because they are leaders, something we want DARE students to become if they are to stay drug-free. I also eat lunch with the students, go out at recess with them, and try to get involved in extra-curricular activities with them. DARE is very time-consuming and it is difficult to keep up with my regular police duties, but the reward of being around the kids have out-weighed the downfalls. Through this program, I have built many special relationships with the students, even as they get older. Due to this program, I have changed a lot of thinking of many young students who did not trust police or who have been scared of police. I believe DARE is a great program, but it can only be a success if the community supports what DARE teaches. The most important people that can influence a child is the adult role models. They are the people who are in contact with the kids most often: Parents, teachers, coaches, etc. These adults must see what kind of message they are sending to the kids, by their actions, attitudes, and what they say. Please be a positive role model for the children you are around, because they look up to you and are always watching you. |
Thanks to Gloria Caouette from Hillside Elementary for designing this page.