The internationally recognized anti-drug education program, D.A.R.E. is being taught to fifth and sixth grade students in the Manitowoc Public Schools.

The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program familiarizes young people with the hazards of drug abuse and violence, and teaches them practical ways of resisting pressures to become involved with drugs and violence.

The program's purpose is not to frighten young people, but rather to teach them that they have the right to say "NO" to drugs, and "YES" to life.

• D.A.R.E. "humanizes" the police: that is, young people can begin to relate to officers as people
• D.A.R.E. permits students to see officers in a helping role, not just an enforcement role
• D.A.R.E. opens the line of communication between law enforcement and youth
• D.A.R.E. opens dialogue between the school, police, and parents to deal with youth issues
• D.A.R.E. equips elementary school children with skills for resisting peer pressure to experiment with tobacco, drugs and alcohol.