Pocatello/Chubbuck D.A.R.E. Program

Pocatello Police D.A.R.E. Program

208-234-6118

The D.A.R.E. program is Drug Abuse Resistance Education. It is taught in the 5th or 6th grades to prepare kids against the dangers of drugs and violence. If you have any questions about the program, please contact a school resource officer.

School Resource Officers

D.A.R.E.

Pocatello Police Department

Chubbuck Police Department

What is D.A.R.E.?

D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles and has proven so successful that it is now being implemented in 75% of our nation’s school districts and in more than 43 countries around the world. D.A.R.E. is taught by specially trained Police Officers who’s experience is used to teach drug and violence education, make good decisions, and how to resist peer pressure. Pocatello started its own D.A.R.E. program in 1991. It is taught in all of the elementary schools in Chubbuck and Pocatello.

D.A.R.E. Student Resources

State/Local Laws

Looking for information on state and local laws? Use the Idaho Legislature website to search for Idaho Statues. Just enter a search phrase in the search box and hit "Enter" to retrieve laws matching the phrase.

You can also search for local ordinances. These are laws pertaining to residents of the City of Pocatello. Just click the "Search" tab, enter a search phrase in the search box, and hit "Enter" to retrieve laws matching the phrase.

Tasers

Many students have questions about the police tool known as a "Taser." Watch a video from KPVI Channel 6 that describes how the Taser works, including footage of the reporter getting Tasered.

Crime in Your Area

Crimereports.com is an excellent resource to see police calls that are occurring in your area. Simply zoom to a neighborhood to see the crimes being reported in that area.

Illegal Drugs

Access the United States Drug Enforcement Administration drug facts page for specific information on illegal drugs. This is a great resource for kids, parents, and teachers. Here you will find information on any drug including its common street names, how it is used, its effects on the body, and photographs of the drug.

Drinking It In

"Drinking It In" is a D.A.R.E.-sponsored video about alcohol advertising and kids. It demonstrates the impact that alcohol adverting has on kids.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to keep your child drug free?

"Parents: You Matter" This research-based presentation increases parents' understanding and confidence in preventing and addressing drug and alcohol issues.

"Parents: You Matter"

What is my child being taught in D.A.R.E.?

D.A.R.E. has 9 lessons that are taught once a week for 9 weeks. The topics covered are how to make good decisions, facts about Tobacco, Tobacco advertising, Alcohol, Alcohol Advertising, Marijuana and inhalants, how to be confident, how to choose good friends, resist peer pressure and stay out of risky situations.

What must my child do to successfully complete D.A.R.E.?

Students are given a workbook called a D.A.R.E. planner. They must complete each lesson in the planner to pass D.A.R.E. The final test in D.A.R.E. is a D.A.R.E. report on what they have learned. They must also show good citizenship, obey the law, and have good attendance.

My child is on probation can he still participate in D.A.R.E.?

Yes. All students start with a clean slate when they start the program. However if a student receives a police ticket or gets into serious trouble with the school (i.e. fighting, bullying etc.) they will be removed from the program.

My child has a learning disability, can my child still participate?

Absolutely. We will work with teachers and school aids to make sure every student enjoys and understands the D.A.R.E. program.

What happens at the D.A.R.E. graduation?

Students who complete the program will get to participate in a fun D.A.R.E. graduation program. D.A.R.E. graduations are usually televised, and depending on the school, students receive a D.A.R.E. t-shirts, prizes, meet local athletes, and successful members of the community. Parents are encouraged to attend and support their child. D.A.R.E. graduations are a fun way to congratulate D.A.R.E. students on completing the course and choosing to be drug free.

If a student does not do their work can they still participate in the D.A.R.E. graduation?

No, part of being in D.A.R.E. is learning to be responsible and accountable for your actions. Students must complete the assignments to graduate. Officers, teachers and aids will help all the students as much as possible to help them to succeed. D.A.R.E. is considered a privilege and not a right, and student will be accountable for his or her actions.

How is D.A.R.E. funded?

Funding for the program does not come from the school district or the Police Department. Donations through the united way, and several very generous companies and families in our area fund the program.

How can I donate to the D.A.R.E. program?

Contact the Pocatello Police Department Community Services Division at 208-234-6115. 100% of your donation will go to the kids in the program.

Why is D.A.R.E. taught by a Police Officer?

The D.A.R.E. curriculum is taught by Police Officers whose training and experience give them the background needed to answer the challenging questions often posed by young students about drugs and crime. Prior to entering the D.A.R.E. program, officers undergo 80 hours of special training in areas such as child development, classroom management, teaching techniques, and communication skills. The kids also get a chance to get to know a local police officer. This opens the communication lines between law enforcement and students.

What if I do not want my student to participate in D.A.R.E.?

A parent letter is sent home advising the parent when the D.A.R.E. program will be taught. If you do not wish for your child to participate in D.A.R.E., it is your responsibly to contact the school or D.A.R.E. Officer.

Why isn't Methamphetamine and other hard core drugs taught in D.A.R.E.?

The goal of D.A.R.E. is to give kids the confidence and knowledge to say no to all drugs. D.A.R.E. focuses on “gateway” drugs. Gateway drugs are defined as “A habit-forming substance whose use may lead to the abuse of drugs that are more addictive or more dangerous.” Examples of gateway drugs are: Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, and inhalants. Studies have shown that users of methamphetamine (meth) and other hard core drugs, started abusing gateway drugs before they tried the hardcore drugs. Although not all kids who use gateway drugs turn to hard core drugs, nearly all hardcore drug users started with gateway drugs and experimented down to the devastating hardcore drugs. The gateway drugs studied in D.A.R.E. are also shown to be the mostly likely drugs offered to 5th and 6th graders. A supplemental methamphetamine lesson can be taught if time and scheduling permits.

2010 D.A.R.E. Flame Car

In 2009, the Pocatello Police Department took on the project to create a bold new D.A.R.E. vehicle. Funding came from local businesses and the Bannock County D.A.R.E. Board. (No tax payer funds were used.)

The car was also made as a tribute to long-time D.A.R.E. Officer Dan Gilbert who had recently passed from Lou Gehrig's disease. A friend of Officer Gilbert, Dean Molder, first approached D.A.R.E. Officer Kevin Nielsen about the car, offering his contacts to help make the car's eye-catching design. The car boasted custom airbrush flames featuring eight hidden "ghost" messages that said: "Just Say No," "D.A.R.E.," and "Not Even Once." The car also featured a trunk mount for an LED TV, allowing officers to play videos or give presentations from the back of the car, making it both a show car and a teaching tool.

The car was unveiled at the 2010 ISU Chrome in the Dome car show and was then put to work in the Pocatello and Chubbuck elementary schools. In September 2010, the car won a national award from Law and Order Magazine, taking first place in the nation for the best D.A.R.E. graphics.

Video

A Special Thank You

We are very grateful to the many sponsors who helped make the 2010 D.A.R.E. car project a success. We'd like to especially thank:

  • Air Exchange Technologies
  • Allstate Insurance
  • Best Towing
  • Buzz Shop
  • Chad's Rentals
  • Colonial Funeral Home
  • Commercial Tire (Tires)
  • Dave's Tint and Glass (Custom Windows and Tinting)
  • Francisco Ibarra (Air Brush Artist)
  • Gordon Wilks
  • ISU College of Technology
  • Ken Garff – West Valley Dodge
  • Kidds Dental
  • Lighting Solutions
  • McDonald's
  • Midas
  • National Coating and Supply (Paint)
  • Paul's Trophy
  • Pocatello Neighborhood Watch
  • Premier Properties
  • Pro Builders
  • PV Hogs
  • Sign Up (Graphics)
  • Simplot

D.A.R.E. Sponsors

We would like to thank the following businesses and families for sponsoring the Pocatello and Chubbuck Police Department's D.A.R.E. program:

  • Air Exchange Technologies
  • Albertson's
  • Allstate
  • Best Towing
  • Big O Tires
  • Buzz Shop
  • CableONE
  • Chad's Rentals
  • Colonial Funeral Home
  • Commercial Tire
  • Dave's Glass and Tint
  • Dean Molder
  • Del Monte Meats
  • Fitness Inc.
  • Franklin Middle School
  • Fred Meyer
  • Hawthorn Middle School
  • Idaho Power
  • Idaho State University
  • Irving Middle School
  • Jeri's Jumbo Cafe
  • John Rasmussen
  • Ken Garff West Valley Dodge
  • Key Bank
  • Kidds Dental
  • Larsen Dental Group
  • Mad Mike's
  • Marshall Public Library
  • McDonald's
  • Midas
  • Neighborhood Watch
  • New Day Products
  • Outer Limits Fun Zone
  • Paul's Trophy
  • Pocatello Neighborhood Watch
  • Pocatello Trap Club
  • Portneuf Valley Hogs
  • Premier Lighting
  • Premier Properties
  • Pro Builders
  • Raven's Nest
  • Roto Rooter
  • Scott's Lock and Key
  • Shaklee
  • ShopKo
  • Sign Up
  • Simplot
  • Sportsman's Warehouse
  • Steve Williams Family
  • Sydney J. Bevington
  • The Barbre Family
  • United Way of Southeast Idaho
  • Volm Companies Inc.
  • Wal-Mart
  • Windshield Doctor