The D.A.R.E. Program began in Little Ferry at Memorial School for the sixth grade class of 1990-91. Officer David Berens began teaching the D.A.R.E. Program to that class. The program is now being taught at the fifth grade level.

D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a cooperative effort of the Little Ferry Police Department and the Little Ferry school district to prevent drug abuse, reduce violence and gang involvement among children and youth. The program is taught once a week for 17 weeks and helps students recognize and resist the many pressures that influence them to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, inhalants, or other disagreements in nonviolent ways.

SOME OF THE KEY LESSONS IN THE D.A.R.E. CORE PROGRAM ARE:

CONSEQUENCES: To help students understand there are many consequences that may result from the use of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana.

CHANGING BELIEFS ABOUT DRUG USE: To help students identify the major sources and kinds of peer pressure they may face and to say NO to friendly, teasing, heavy and indirect pressure.

SUBSTANCE TECHNIQUES: To help the students learn the "8 ways to say NO" and to practice them.

BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM: Giving compliments to each other.

ASSERTIVENESS: Being confident about yourself and respecting the rights of others.

MANAGING STRESS: Recognizing stress and learning positive ways to deal with stress.

REDUCING VIOLENCE: To help students find ways to deal with anger and to help resolve a disagreement.

COMBATING MEDIA INFLUENCES: The 6 media techniques that are used to buy products and to understand the difference between a commercial and a public service announcement.

MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT RISKY BEHAVIORS: The students think about the risks and choices they have and decide on the consequences of those risks.

POSITIVE ALTERNATIVES: The students participate in relay races in the gym.

RESISTING GANG AND GROUP VIOLENCE: The students recognize the negative consequences of gang and group violence.

POSITIVE HIGH SCHOOL ROLE MODELS: High school seniors talk to the class about what it is like to be in high school.

At the culmination program the students receive certificates and T-shirts for their participation in the program. There is also a talent show in which the students display their skills in dance, music, and comedy. Two students from each class are selected to read D.A.R.E. Essays at the culmination.

There are now three D.A.R.E. Officers in the Little Ferry Police Department:

Sgt. David Berens - Certified in: K-4, Core(5/6), Middle School and Parent Program (Great)
Ptl. Michael Hinchcliffe - Dare Officer