D.A.R.E.

The DARE Program was created in California in 1983. Since that time, the program has quickly grown into a program now taught in 43 countries around the world, as well as here in Lake County.

In 1990, the Lake County Sheriff's Office began teaching the DARE Program to 5th grade elementary students here in Lake County, and since its adoption the program has been well received by students, parents, and teachers throughout the county.

The deputies chosen to instruct the DARE Program must have a minimum of two years experience as a sworn Deputy Sheriff. Next, that selected deputy has to successfully complete an eighty hour training course conducted by FDLE. Each year thereafter, the DARE deputies continue their training through DARE workshops. These workshops afford the DARE Deputies the opportunity to stay up to date on all new trends that are developing with our youth and allows them to hone their teaching skills.

The DARE Program consists of 9 lessons and a graduation, which are designed to help young people learn good decision making skills regarding drug recognition and resistance, dealing with stress, self-esteem issues, peer pressure, resisting gang involvement and/or violence and consequences of poor choices. Positive alternative activities are reinforced.

This year there are 24 elementary schools in Lake County. The Lake County Sheriff's Office supplies all of them with DARE instruction.

DARE Deputies also speak to both youth and adult groups regarding drug awareness and recognition, crime prevention, safety concerns, stranger danger, and how to avoid violence. These are just a few examples of a DARE Deputy’s involvement within the community on a continuing basis.

The DARE Unit consists of 5 full time DARE Instructors and one Part Time Instructor: Cpl. Terry Allen, Deputy Wayne Herrick, Cpl. Walt Niehus,  Deputy Mike Smalt, Cpl. Scott Wardingly and Corporal Fred Jones. To contact your DARE Deputy, log onto the Virtual Address book located under “General Information” on the left hand side of the LCSO Home page.