D.A.R.E. is a prevention program for our Minnesota young people.  The curriculum is about taking important issues, impacting the safety of our youth, and dropping them through a decision-making model.  It is designed to be adapted to meet the needs of the community in which it is taught.  Although it is taught by specially-trained law enforcement officers; the program is a collaboration between parents, schools, communities, and law enforcement. In Minnesota, the program is administered by a community board of directors represented by business leaders and representatives from our Minnesota communities.

Our Minnesota children are currently being faced with a variety of safety issues and concerns. This week, I was reminded of one of those issues, that can take the lives of our children.

I received this email from a parent thanking one of our southern Minnesota D.A.R.E. officers.

“Thank you for talking to these kids about suicide. Two and half years ago, my daughter attempted suicide. I walked in, in the middle of it. I walked in and was lucky…her best friend called me nonstop that day because my daughter had indicated how she was feeling. I got there JUST IN TIME!

She was hospitalized for a month and diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder resulting from being raped and stalked.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t thank God for the friend who wouldn’t stop calling until she talked to me that day.

THANKS FOR WHAT YOU DO.

(Mother asked that the daughter’s name not be shared and her identity be kept private)

BTW…my daughter is doing AMAZING her symptoms and flashbacks have lessened. She was just admitted to the nursing program and is so excited.

I am so blessed.

Thanks for all you do!”

–Mother of Former Minnesota D.A.R.E. Student