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Brigantine Municipal
Alliance Mrs. Dillon and members of the Chamber of Commerce, As many of you are aware, I am the D.A.R.E. officer for our police department. I would like to explain the program for those of you who may not fully understand the curriculum. D.A.R.E. (drug abuse resistance education) is a collaborative effort by certified law enforcement officers, students, parents and the community to offer an educational program in the classroom, to prevent or reduce drug abuse and violence among children and young adults. The emphasis of D.A.R.E. is to help students recognize and resist the many direct and subtle pressures that may influence them to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, inhalants, or other drugs or to engage in violence. The D.A.R.E. program offers preventative strategies to enhance those protective factors- especially bonding to the family, school and community which appears to foster the development of resiliency in young people who may be at risk for substance abuse or other problem behaviors. At this time the children of our community receive instruction in the D.A.R.E. curriculum only at the 5th grade level. I was looking for a way to reinforce the D.A.R.E. lessons long after they finish the class. I have decided that to involve the business community would be the best way. I am proposing that each child be given a D.A.R.E. graduation card as they finish the class. Their name will be on the card. They would be able to present the card at merchants throughout the island for a special treat, discount or service. The card would expire one year after issue date, to allow for the next group. The children constantly would be carrying the card and hopefully reinforcing the D.A.R.E. curriculum each time they use it. I would be supplying each business that participates with a 3”X4” sticker that would be displayed inside their window. The card states “Dare Cards Accepted Here” (a sample is enclosed). I would also be putting together a booklet with each businesses name listed. This booklet would be given to each student. Some suggestions the businesses could offer would be: 10% discount, $1.00 off, buy one get one half price, free soda with purchase of meal, and so on. If you wish to participate, be creative! This offer may bring a new segment of customers. It is also good public relations. I have also enclosed a copy of a sign up sheet that the businesses can return to me to be listed in out booklet.
Thank You for your attention to this matter,
Philip A. Durrant
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