D.A.R.E
An anti-drug and violence course is taught in Bossier Parish by deputies of the Bossier Sheriff's Office with support from the Bossier Parish School Board.
D.A.R.E., an acronym for "Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education," teaches the fifth-graders ways to resist the dangers of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, violence and some of the other evils that today's children face. Bullying is also a major topic in the D.A.R.E. program.
Sheriff Deen told the children at a graduation exercise, "Now that you've learned about these dangers and why you should avoid them, you must carry this forward and make this valuable knowledge a part of your life. You've learned to talk the talk, and you must learn to walk the walk. We love you all, and we want no harm to come to you."
The DARE deputies are specially trained to teach the course, bringing to bear their experience and training in law enforcement to help the children understand and resist the persuasion of peers, older children, drug dealers, tobacco companies and the advertising and entertainment industries.
Deen initiated the program in Bossier Parish in 1990, only a few years after it was founded in Los Angeles. Since that time, he said, approximately tens of thousands of students have graduated from the program in Bossier Parish.
The national organization, DARE America, provides officer training and educational materials.
For more information, call 318-965-3500, or to contact the program by e-mail, click here.