Page County brings back DARE program in schools

Page County is bringing back DARE, the drug prevention program started in 1983 to educate young people about the dangers of drug use, but today's program is different then what it was several decades ago.

DARE stands for drug abuse resistance education. It is a law enforcement-taught initiative used throughout the country. After being revamped in 2014, the program today is much more interactive. Rather than students getting a lecture on drug use, the law enforcement officials show students videos and encourage them to work together in small groups.

The new program was even praised in the most recent surgeon general's report for having effectiveness in prevention. This was a change from a 2003 General Accounting Office report finding no real change in drug use under the old program.

Sheriff Cubbage said bringing back "dare" was a campaign promise for him when he was elected and the new program has resulted in a 32 to 44 percent drop in marijuana, tobacco and alcohol use.

"I recognize that we are losing generations of children and I just think we have to step up and say what we can do to educate our children on drugs," said Cubbage

The program works to address three areas: giving accurate information on drugs, teaching students decision making skills and showing students how to resist peer pressure. It starts with the basics of responsibility and then builds up to allowing students to develop their own responses to real-life situations.

Cubbage said the 10-week course will be taught to 5th graders in the county's four elementary schools.