St. Paul, MN—On February 2, 2017, Minnesota D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) welcomed 22 newly certified D.A.R.E. officers from the 46th class trained in Minnesota. These officers just completed their two weeks of training hosted by the Minnesota BCA – a D.A.R.E. America certified training unit. Six departments were re-establishing a program or starting a new program.
Minnesota D.A.R.E. is celebrating 27 years of programming in 2017 and is proud to welcome a new generation of D.A.R.E. officers.
Minnesota Law Enforcement Agencies with Newly Certified D.A.R.E. Officers:
Roseau County Sheriff’s Office, Coon Rapids Police Dept. (2), Duluth Police Dept. (2), East Range Police Dept., Meeker County Sheriff’s Office (2), Lakes Area Police Dept., Chatfield Police Dept., Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office (2), Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Anoka Police Dept., Wheaton Police Dept., White Bear Lake Police Dept., Jordan Police Dept., Edina Police Dept., Hermantown Police Dept., Osakis Police Dept., Silver Bay Police Dept., Gilbert Police Dept.
The training is very intense and comprehensive. Officers must attend, participate, and pass classes, hosted by the BCA under the direction of D.A.R.E. America. Officers are then given the D.A.R.E. curriculum at no charge and will continue to be supported in their teaching efforts by Minnesota D.A.R.E., Inc., the non-profit organization that administers the program for the state of Minnesota. These officers will be joining our currently certified officers; instructing approx. 60,000 – 65,000 students and their families annually.
Minnesota D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a prevention and education program that advocates and educates for healthy and safe children. D.A.R.E. serves young people and their families teaching the skills to make positive decisions, provides education on safe and healthy lifestyles and gives the tools to enable them to resist engaging in negative and violent behaviors.