D.A.R.E. Day is a day designed to allow law enforcement officers to reach American students and inform them about the dangers of drugs. According to the latest statistics, 90% of people who develop addiction problems in later adult life started using drugs when they were teens.

These same studies also show that the first-time drug use for most American teens is at 13 or 14 years old. Furthermore, if teens try drugs before the age of 21, statistics show they are almost seven times more likely to become addicted. All good reasons for people to take part in this holiday and help teens learn about the dangers of drug use.

The History of D.A.R.E. Day

The D.A.R.E. Program began in 1984 as a way to educate communities about the dangers of drug abuse. Every officer who partakes in this program must complete 80 hours of training in child development, communication skills, and classroom management. If the officer is going to educate students in high school, they will also need an additional 40 hours of instruction. Once certified, they go out to educate American youth.

Observing D.A.R.E. Day

On this day, D.A.R.E. officers are busy trying to reach American youth and deliver the message about the drawbacks and dangers of drug use. Unfortunately, this program is not in every American school.

According to the latest studies, almost one out of four American schools still does not participate in the D.A.R.E. Program. This means that much more still has to be done, and anyone wishing to observe this holiday can do their part by advocating for their local school’s enrollment in the program.