D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and it started in Los Angeles California in 1983. Orchard Park initiated the D.A.R.E. program in 1993 and at this time has graduated over 17,000 students. The elementary D.A.R.E. program has been taught to 5th-grade students at Eggert Elementary, Ellicott Elementary, South Davis Elementary, Windom Elementary, Armor Elementary, Nativity of Our Lord, and St. John Vianney schools. Since 2022, the middle school D.A.R.E. program is taught at the Orchard Park Middle School.

The vision statement of the D.A.R.E. program states: “Teaching Students Decision Making for Safe and Healthy Living.” D.A.R.E. is taught in all 50 states and in over 29 countries around the world. These police officer-led lessons are taught to 2.5 million students annually.

Our D.A.R.E. program works with our grade school students, teaching them skills that can be used for the rest of their life focusing on making safe and responsible choices.

Lessons include:

• D.A.R.E. Decision-Making Model
• Responsibilities
• Health Effects of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Vaping
• Risks and Consequences
• Dealing with Peer Pressure and Resistance Strategies (ways to say no)
• Positive ways to handle stressful situations
• Communication – Being a confident communicator
• Non-Verbal Communication, Effective Listening, and Empathy
• Bullying
• Helping Others and Getting Help from Others
• Internet and Social Media Safety

The Orchard Park Police D.A.R.E. program is supported by donations from:

• Orchard Park Elementary Schools PTO
• Armor Elementary PTSA
• Orchard Park Police Foundation
• Numerous Local Businesses and Community Members

The Orchard Park Police D.A.R.E. program continues to succeed because of the support of:

• Orchard Park Town Board
• Orchard Park Central School District administration and staff
• Orchard Park Police Department
• Orchard Park School Board
• Hamburg Central School District administration and staff