The Mt. Vernon D.A.R.E. program first began 15 years ago in 1990. Drug Abuse Resistance Education is more than drug awareness. It teaches kids values, self-esteem, alternative activities other than drugs, risk, and decision making, to name just a few. About 900 kids a year in grades K-6, are taught the D.A.R.E. program. D.A.R.E. is also taught to the eighth grade class in our middle schools. The main program or the core program is the sixth grade. The kids have D.A.R.E. on Tuesday for 17 weeks. The students have class discussions, work on projects and workbooks, and they must complete an essay telling what they have learned. At the end of the core program is graduation. A culmination in honor of dedication to resist drugs and violence.

Click here to go to the D.A.R.E. official website.

For more information on the D.A.R.E. Program, please contact officer Jason Lacey at 417-466-2122 at the City Police Department.