The Sheriff's D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program, one of the largest in the state, is coordinated through the Community Services Unit and every year reaches more than 4,000 pupils in school districts throughout Monroe County.

The primary mission of D.A.R.E. is to provide children with the information and skills they need to live drug- and violence-free lives. Additionally, it establishes positive relationships between students, law enforcement, teachers, parents and other community leaders. D.A.R.E. lessons focus on providing accurate information about alcohol and drugs, teaching students decision-making skills, showing them how to resist peer pressure and giving them ideas for alternatives to drug use and violence.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office has been instructing D.A.R.E. in our local schools since January 1991. We started in just four school districts and are now teaching D.A.R.E. in 10 school districts, 30 public school buildings, and 10 private school buildings.

For more information, contact the D.A.R.E. headquarters at (585) 753-4287.