The Princeton Borough Police Department along with the Princeton Township Police Department offers the D.A.R.E. program to both public and private schools in the Borough and Township. The program offers preventive strategies to enhance those protective factors-especially bonding to the family, school and community-which may appear to foster the development of resiliency in young people who may be at risk for substance abuse and other problem behaviors. Researchers have identified certain protective and social bonding factors in the family, school and community which may foster resiliency in young people, in other words, the capacity of young people for healthy, independent growth in spite of adverse conditions. These strategies focus on the development of social competence, communication skills, self esteem, empathy, decision making, conflict resolution, sense of purpose and independence and positive alternative activities to drug abuse and other destructive behaviors.

Currently, Detective Bucchere is our departments D.A.R.E. Officer.

Understanding the effects of mind altering drugs

Considering consequences

Changing beliefs about drug use

Learning resistance techniques-ways to say NO

Building self esteem

Learning assertiveness-response styles

Managing stress without taking drugs

Reducing violence

Combating media influences on drug use and violence

Making decisions about risky behaviors

Saying YES to positive attitudes

Having positive role models

Resisting gang and group violence

Taking a stand