DARE - Skills for life Youth Education Programme - New Zealand Police

Youth Education Services
 

DARE programmes are designed to enable children and young people to avoid illegal drugs, to make sensible choices about their use of alcohol and other drugs and to seek help when needed.

DARE promotes positive support and communication between students, police, school, family and community. Some DARE programmes are owned and run by the DARE Foundation and some by police. For DARE Foundation owned programmes check out the DARE New Zealand web site: www.dare.org.nz.
 

Police DARE Programmes

It is important that people get age-appropriate drug education and social skill development throughout their lives. To facilitate this a range of DARE programmes have been developed.

A person may participate in some, or all, of these programmes.

Background

DARE New Zealand is a comprehensive drug abuse prevention strategy initiated by the DARE Foundation of New Zealand and the New Zealand Police. A number of programmes are available, some managed by the DARE Foundation and others by police.

Drug Definition

DARE New Zealand adopts the following definition of drugs:
"A drug can be defined as any chemical substance which alters the way a person's body or mind works. This does not include food, air and liquid which our bodies need to work properly.
Almost everyone takes some drugs. A lot of people depend on taking drugs to keep healthy, but drugs can be harmful if misused. Because misusing drugs can be harmful, laws have been passed restricting their manufacture, distribution and use."
The above definition is based on material from The Centre for Education and Information on Drugs and Alcohol, New South Wales, Australia.

DARE New Zealand's Philosophy on Drugs

The DARE Foundation and police believe all people should respect the legal restrictions on drugs. Drugs that do not have legal restrictions should also be used in ways that are safe and healthy. If these principles are not respected, then drug use can lead to abuse, resulting in social impairment, dependency and physical and psychological harm.

The National Drug Policy 2007-2012 encourages the investigation and practise of 'strategies and safety procedures to minimise and/or manage risk situations', such as those associated with drugs.

The DARE Foundation of New Zealand and police endorse this approach.

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DARE to make a choice

Two drug education programmes have been designed for School Years 5-6 and Years 7-8. The Year 7-8 programme has been rewritten and was introduced to schools in February 2008.

This programme prepares young people to make responsible choices and decisions about the use of drugs and gives them the skills to implement these. It deals with issues such as building self esteem, making safe and sensible decisions, understanding the consequence of drug misuse, resisting pressures to use drugs, solving problems and the influence of the media. The programme is interactive and uses a psycho-social approach.

It is delivered by Police Education Officers and teachers, and is managed by the NZ Police.

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Tēnā Kōwhiriatena-kowhiria-certificate

Tēnā Kōwhiria is the Te Reo Māori version of Make a Choice
This is a drug education programme in Te Reo Māori for students in Years 5-8. The programme prepares young people to make responsible choices and decisions about the use of drugs and gives them the skills to implement these.

It is delivered by teachers, and managed by the NZ Police.

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DARE Reducing the Harm

For School Years 11-13.dare-reducing-the-harm

DARE Reducing the Harm is a programme designed to help secondary schools minimise the harm from illicit drug use.

The programme consists of a seven-step action plan and includes material for teachers, parents and caregivers and students.

The clasroom lessons are for students in years 11-13, and an integrated approach has been used. One lesson is available for peer leaders to use with Year 10 students. It is available to schools through Police Education Officers.

Reducing the Harm has been used as an exemplar of how best practice can be incorporated into an education programme.

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DARE to Drive to Survive

For students in Years 11-13.

Drive to Survive aims to help young people make informed and responsible decisions about alternatives to driving after drinking alcohol, thus reducing death and injury by car crashes.

The programme consists of a teaching guide video, a play and copysheets. Topics covered include:

  • attitudes to, and reasons for, drink-driving,
  • the consequences,
  • what the law says,
  • strategies for handling peer pressure,
  • planning ahead to avoid drink-drive situations.

Related links

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