Worcester County Sheriff's Office D.A.R.E

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, has been very active in the D.A.R.E. program, for fifteen years.  Sergeant Matt Crisafulli, has been the D.A.R.E. Officer for our agency since 1999.  In 2005, we were recognized as having the top D.A.R.E. Officer for the entire state of Maryland. Sergeant Crisafulli, is also a state mentor.  He is responsible for training other police officers, on how to successfully deliver the D.A.R.E. curriculum.  He has been a state mentor since 2006. We provide instruction for all Worcester County Public Schools.  There are two private schools that are also taught the D.A.R.E. curriculum.
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, starts working with the students at the kindergarten level.  The visits with kindergarten, second, and fourth grade, set the foundation for the core curriculum, which is taught at the sixth grade level.  The focus at the onset of the visitations is stranger danger.  The students are taught about the importance of being able to identify trusted grown-ups.  The students are also taught about how critical it is to effectively communicate with, and obey the trusted grown-ups within their lives.  Safe places are identified for the students, within their communities.  Once the students are taught this valuable information, their learning is reinforced with role-playing.  Students are given the opportunity to put their words into action, and they model the ability to keep themselves safe when approached by a stranger.  At the second grade level, the students are taught the definition of the word “Drug”.  The students are taught about over the counter medications, and how they are considered to be drug, that is helpful when it is used correctly.  They are taught that the correct use is by the assistance of a trusted grown-up only.  The dangers of tobacco are also taught at this level.  We start telling students at this age that the “First is the worst” as far as the cigarette.  This is a phrase that they start incorporating into their communication skills, at a young age.  Bullying has become a very serious problem in our society.  The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office treats this as a critical step in developing better behavioral skills with the students.  Bullying is identified, analyzed, and students are given the opportunity to discuss this issue with the D.A.R.E. Officer.   Students are taught how to be “Silent Helpers” in which ways are taught to disseminate information to the support system in place for the students (Teachers, Principals, Guidance Counselors, etc).   We teach the kids to use more complimentary behavior with their peers.  Self-esteem is discussed, and the importance is placed on how to build self-esteem, and self-worth.  The fourth grade level is when the students start role-playing how to effectively refuse offers of tobacco from their peers.  The impact of peer pressure is discussed at this age level.  The students are taught HOW to say no to tobacco.  They are taught how to jump the hurdle of peer pressure, and still maintain a high self-esteem.

The core curriculum of D.A.R.E. has been scrutinized over the years.  The core level is taught in grade six.  The uniqueness of our program is that the students are very familiar with their D.A.R.E. Officer by the time that they reach this level.  The students have had the visitations by this level, and are very prepared to begin this program.  Tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and bullying, are the key topics in the core program.  There are lessons, and activities geared at teaching the students the importance of maintaining a drug-free lifestyle.  The legal, health, and social affects are critiqued at this level.  Through the education of the consequential use of illegal substances, the students are equipped with the knowledge and skills on how to be able to resist the temptations of negative behavior, such as substance abuse and bullying.  A very large portion of the D.A.R.E. program is the focus on how to be able to say no, under duress from their peers.  Students are also taught about how positive activities within their lives can enrich their esteem, and pave their way to become young leaders within their school population.

Our D.A.R.E. program has been extremely successful, due to the consistency of having one D.A.R.E. Officer, who has been given the opportunity to work with the students from grade kindergarten through grade six.   Some of our D.A.R.E. students have gone on to become police officers, teachers, and other forms of employment that benefit our communities.