DARE Program

The D.A.R.E. Program was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles. Today the program is presented in more than 75% of United States school districts and more than 52 countries.

D.A.R.E.'s primary mission is to provide children with the information and skills they need to live drug and violence-free lives. It establishes a positive relationship between students and law enforcement, teachers, and parents. The program is comprised of 10 lessons which teaches students to recognize and resist the many direct and subtle pressures that influence them to experiment with drugs, and instead, allow them to focus on their strengths and potential. The program achieves this by using decision-making skills to avoid negative consequences.

DARE is more than just a drug awareness program.  DARE is a life skills program which promotes good decision making.  Teaching students to:

  • Exercise self-control particularly when under stress and pressure. Identify the risks and consequences of their choices.
  • Make safe and responsible decisions. Communicate more confidently and effectively, thus developing stronger relationships with peers, family, and authority figures.
  • Become safe and responsible citizens by learning how to help others and know how to get help.

In Bowling Green, the program is sponsored by the Bowling Green Police Department and the Pike County Prosecutor’s Office and is being taught at both the Bowling Green and Frankford campuses. The Bowling Green Police Department currently has one D.A.R.E. officer.

The program coordinator is D.A.R.E. Officer Kenda Flynn. Officer Flynn has been teaching the D.A.R.E. program since 2004.  She has been involved in law enforcement in varied capacities for over 18 years and is the Missouri DARE Officer Association Region Representative for Region 1 (2014).  You may contact her at 573-324-2201, 573-470-7001 or email at kflynn@pikecounty-mo.gov.

Click on the links below for useful DARE program information and fun facts.

Please see BGR1 website for the latest DARE activities.

http://bge.bgschools.k12.mo.us/students/d-a-r-e
https://www.missouri-dare.com
http://www.dare.org