D.A.R.E Program

Drug Abuse Resistance Education

The Polk County Sheriff's Office's primary mission regarding the D.A.R.E. program is to provide elementary students in Polk County with the information and skills they need to live a drug and violence-free life.

The mission is to equip young people with the decision-making skills that will enable them to avoid negative influences. The Polk County Sheriff's Office wants them to focus on their strengths and potential.  This is what the D.A.R.E. program is designed to do.

It is important for the sheriff's office to establish positive relationships between law enforcement, students and schools. Every youngster should have the opportunity to grow up and make the choices that will help them to succeed in life. As the future of this great nation lies in the hands of our children we should make every effort to help them build on a foundation that will support the building of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

All six schools in Polk County have the D.A.R.E. program. The Polk County Sheriff's Office provides this in four of the six schools. Even in these tight economic times, Sheriff Morrison has always made every effort to budget for the funding of this program in all four schools. The funding covers the cost of books, certificates, T-shirts, prizes and the deputy to instruct. The class lasts for 10 weeks. 

Halfway, Marion C. Early, Fair Play and Humansville are the four schools the Sheriff's Office provides with the program. Each year on average, about 150 students graduate the D.A.R.E. program from these four schools.