These are but a few examples of program activities that are conducted by the police departments that depict the commitment to the children and community. Equally important, the following projects and / or activities indicate the support we receive from schools and members of the community.
D.A.R.E. Day
A culmination activity involving all the participating schools that is held in each county as follows:
Hawaii - at the end of the school year, one in East Hawaii (Hilo) and one in West Hawaii (Kona).
Kauai - at the end of the school year in Lihue.
Maui - at the end of the school year in Wailuku.
Maui D.A.R.E. Day
Oahu - at the end of the school year in Honolulu.
The intent is to collectively have students, along with their parents and educators take a stand against substance abuse and violence following a fun-filled program of activities.
Involves the coordinated efforts of the four county police departments, educators, military personnel, city/state authorities, busnesses and private organizations, and the students themselves.
National Red Ribbon Campaign
Hawaii's observance began as part of the National Red Ribbon campaign created by the National Federation of Parents for Drug-Free Youths (NFP) in 1985. It pays tribute to Enrique Camarena, a federal narcotics agent who was murdered in February 1985 by drug traffickers. Since then, the red ribbon has come to symbolizes intolerance for drug abuse and a commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.
Hawaii's observance of this campaign is a month long celebration in February involving the schools, businesses, and communities to express their support for a drug-free lifestyle.
D.A.R.E. has become part of all campaigns, wellness fairs, etc. that support a drug-free environment.
Each officer is a special guest during assemblies opeining the drug-free month which also consisted of the attendance at the Family Sunday celebration at the Bishop Museum.
Summer Leadership Training Programs:
Presently, the D.A.R.E. Program on the island of Maui annually conduct summer leadership training programs and a camp for students. On the island of Oahu for middle school students, the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program and the D.A.R.E. Program is currently conducting a G.R.E.A.T. Right After D.A.R.E. (GRAD) Summer Leadership Training program.
The students selected are based on mutual recommendations by the teachers and D.A.R.E. and G.R.E.A.T. instructors. The students serve as role models to others for the upcoming school year. Teachers also actively attend and participate.
Activities include the bonding of friends, positive self-esteem and assertiveness activities that are taken from the D.A.R.E. and G.R.E.A.T. curricula, and other hands on activities.
The program provides our own instructors with practical experiences in working with the students away from the classroom environment.
Special School / Community sponsored activities
Aside from teaching the D.A.R.E. curriculum, the D.A.R.E. instructors are also involved in the following: (on duty/off duty)
- School / Community fairs
- Parent-Teacher meetings, D.A.R.E. parent orientation night meetings
- Drug and safety awareness talks
- Third grade lessons (implemented in 10/92)
- Kindergarten visitations
- Sixth grade follow-up programs
- D.A.R.E. Officer Training (D.O.T.) - conducted twice a year for officers statewide, and from Guam, Kwajalein, American Samoa, and Alaska.
D.A.R.E. Hawaii 17th Annual State Training Conference held March 23-25, 2009 at the Kauai Hilton Beach Resort
Leroy E. Contee, Jr., President- D.A.R.E. Hawaii and Dr. Stephen R. Sroka, Ph.D., President, Health Education Consultants
National D.A.R.E. Training conference