Lincoln D.A.R.E.
Empowering Youth for a Drug-Free Future
The Lincoln Police Department supports the DARE program and its efforts to assist youths with sound judgement and decision making, including but not limited to resisting drug/alcohol abuse and prevention of bullying at home, at school and in their community.
The Lincoln Police Department has 4 trained DARE Officers: Deputy Chief Christy Fruge, Officer's Chad Eimer, Jason Rohrer and Jacquelynn Hannel.
Teaching Responsibility, Confidence & Smart Choices
The D.A.R.E. Program has different curriculums designed for different age groups.
The Kindergarten - 4th grade program focuses on safety, recognizing risks and emergencies and how to respond to those situations. It also begins working on problems solving by using techniques that respect their rights and others without using anger and hurtful behaviors. We also touch on not taking medicine without an adult to help you.
The 5th - 6th grade curriculum starts to focus on situations kids are faced with and gives kids tools on how to handle them without falling into peer pressure situations. We also teach ways to cope with frustration, anger, and bullying by role playing situations that the kids can act out themselves to better prepare themselves.
The 7th grade curriculum focuses on how to get out of situations they are caught up in. We teach the R (refuse) E (explain) A (avoid) L (leave) method which is broken down step by step so kids can have many different tools to use to get away from a situation they find themselves in.
Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom
D.A.R.E. is not the "Just Say No" from the 80's and 90's we all remember. D.A.R.E. has evolved to giving kids the tools they need to make good decisions. A child who makes good decision, will automatically "Just Say No". D.A.R.E. officers also focus on vaping, depression and social media safety.
Locally our D.A.R.E. program is quick to assist families in need with the everyday things we take for granted. School supplies, shoes, coats, and toiletries, are some of the things the program purchases. D.A.R.E. also supports local youth with sponsorships throughout the year for events and fundraisers. Lincoln D.A.R.E. also started the Specs for Success program that will pay for an eye exam and glasses for at need youth with our local Bard Optical.
Our D.A.R.E. Officers and SRO's host cookouts, take local students to Peoria Chief's baseball games, and have parties with the students in their classrooms and at the Lincoln Park District.
D.A.R.E. America
Senior D.A.R.E. Officer Deputy Chief Christy Fruge also serves the D.A.R.E. American Program as the Illinois D.A.R.E. Officer Coordinator. Deputy Chief Fruge is tasked with many responsibilities through this assignment, encompassing the entire State of Illinois.
With Deputy Chief Fruge's selection as the D.A.R.E. Officer Coordinator, Lincoln became the D.A.R.E. Officer Training hub for the D.A.R.E. Program statewide. This 80+ hour training is required by D.A.R.E. America for certification of all new D.A.R.E. Instructors.
Sands of Time
