St. Paul, MN: Minnesota D.A.R.E., Inc. is proud to welcome 24 new D.A.R.E. officers. These officers will be joining over 250 current Minnesota D.A.R.E. officers who instruct over 74,000 students annually.
Our Minnesota D.A.R.E. officers are in our schools to educate and advocate for safe and healthy children.
Recently trained at the Minnesota Air National Guard, the Minnesota BCA certified 28 new officers – 24 of those officers are from the state of Minnesota. These officers completed an intense, two week training, certifying them to instruct the D.A.R.E. curriculum.
These new D.A.R.E. officers are trained in D.A.R.E’s new elementary curriculum, keepin” it REAL (kiR). The D.A.R.E. program is committed to keeping up-to-date with the latest information and studies; in this effort has updated the curriculum over nine times since it began 30 years ago. Since 1983, D.A.R.E. has demonstrated leadership in the prevention of drug abuse. Collaborative efforts among Law Enforcement, Education, and Prevention Science have distinguished the D.A.R.E. program. D.A.R.E.’s keepin’ it REAL Elementary Curriculum continues this commitment; providing cutting edge instruction that prevents drug use by developing basic or core skills needed for safe and responsible choices. These skills extend beyond drugs to healthy and mature choices in life.
Our new curriculum’s design is based on the Socio-Emotional Learning Theory (SEL). SEL identifies fundamental, basic skills and development processes needed for healthy development including: self-awareness and management, responsible decision making, understanding others, relationship and communication skills, and handling responsibilities and challenges. The curriculum uses this theory to teach youth to control their impulses and think about risks and consequences which will guide them to healthy choices not only about drugs but across all parts of their lives. As they grow to be responsible citizens, they will lead healthier and more productive drug-free lives.
The keepin’ it REAL Elementary curriculum was developed to work closely with D.A.R.E.’s middle school program. Both programs were developed with Penn State University. Rigorous scientific evaluation has shown kiR (keepin’ it REAL) to be “evidence-based.” You will find it on the NREPP list of effective programs listed under keepin’it Real. Furthermore, the Society for Prevention Research ranked kiR among the most cost effective and efficient prevention programs, citing a cost benefit ratio of 28:1 ($28 in benefits for every $1 spent).
The following law enforcement agencies were represented in the 2013 graduating class: Shakopee Police Department, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Two Harbors Police Department, Northfield Police Department, Hibbing Police Department, Plymouth Police Department, Moorhead Police Department, Columbia Heights Police Department, Eveleth Police Department, Winsted Police Department, Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office, Wadena Police Department, Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, Montevideo Police Department, Coon Rapids Police Department, Red Lake Dept. of Public Safety, Anoka Police Department, New Hope Police Department, Orono Police Department, White Bear Lake Police Department, Willmar Police Department, Wright County Sheriff’s Office.