The D.A.R.E. Officers are selected by passing a competitive interview on the local level, then by passing a more vigorous and highly competitive interview given by the Connecticut State Police D.A.R.E. Unit and the Connecticut D.A.R.E. Training Staff. Once the Officers are chosen, they attend a two week D.A.R.E. Officer Training School conducted by the Connecticut State D.A.R.E. Training Staff. This training is very intense and often lasts into the evening hours. The training includes Public Speaking, Adolescent Chemical Dependency, Classroom Management, Time Management, Adolescent Behavior, Media Influences on Youth, Drug Recognition, Current Trends in School Violence/Bullying, Legal Issues, Community Policing, Active Learning, How Children Learn, History of Prevention and School Based Community Policing, Active Learning, and Techniques for working with Schools as a Community (including PTA and Teacher’s In-Service). In addition to the D.A.R.E. Training Staff, Members of the D.E.A., State Police, and Local Police Departments assist in teaching classes at this training. For a D.A.R.E. Officer to keep their Certification, They must complete an on-line training (which is overseen by D.A.R.E. America), teach at least one semester per year and attend follow-up seminars and training.

The D.A.R.E. Fifth Grade Core Curriculum, which is a 10 week course, is taught in all eight Meriden's Public Elementary Schools and in the City’s 4 Parochial Schools. The D.A.R.E. Middle School Curriculum, a 10 day course, is taught in the Seventh Grades of Washington, Lincoln, and Thomas Edison Middle Schools. The D.A.R.E. Unit also conducts the D.A.R.E. Parent Program, being the first City in Connecticut to instruct Parents and Grandparents (along with all adults) in the D.A.R.E. Parent Program.

Fifth Grade Core Curriculum is a ten week course which covers the following topics: PURPOSES AND OVERVIEW OF D.A.R.E. PROGRAM, TOBACCO AND YOU, SMOKE SCREEN, ALCOHOL AND YOU, THE REAL TRUTH FRIENDSHIP FOUNDATIONS, PUTTING IT TOGETHER, PERSONAL ACTION, PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!, ROLE MODELS, and  OUR SPECIAL EVENT – D.A.R.E. GRADUATION. 

Seventh Grade Curriculum is a ten day course which covers the following topics: GETTING ACQUAINTED AND THE D.A.R.E. GAME, YOUR BODY AND BRAIN – KEEP THEM HEALTHY, ANALYZING ADVERTISEMENTS, HEADLINE NEWS – UNDERSTANDING NORMATIVE BELIEFS, GOING TO THE MOVIES, HANGIN’ AT ANTHONY’S, PRACTICING RESISTANCE SKILLS, “COOLING IT”, SOCIAL AND LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES, and PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER.

The Parent Program is a five lesson course which covers the following subjects:
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION-BIRTH TO 8 YEARS, DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION-AGES 9 THROUGH ADOLESCENCE, YOUTH PRESSURES/RESISTANCE SKILLS, VIOLENCE-PREVENTION STRATEGIES AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION. The last evening, there is a Panel Discussion with members of the community from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds will discuss the scope of substance abuse and violence locally and exchange ideas on resources and referrals. Panel members have included, but are not limited to, EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, THERAPISTS/COUNSELORS, PREVENTION PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS.

If you would like to attend the D.A.R.E. Parent Program or would like more information on the D.A.R.E. Program in Meriden, please contact the D.A.R.E. Unit at 203-630-6276. You may also e-mail the D.A.R.E. Unit at WEDAREU@hotmail.com .