Making the Call (Smart Choices)
Before you react to a tough situation, the very first thing you should do is define this—figuring out exactly what the problem or challenge is.
The problem (or the situation)?
This invisible, highly addictive chemical is hidden in vape juices and tobacco. It hooks your brain fast and makes it really hard to quit.
Nicotine
The simplest way to turn down an unsafe offer is to Refuse it. This means looking the person in the eye and saying these two simple words.
"No, thanks" (or "I'm good")
This is the tense, overwhelmed feeling you get in your mind or body when you're facing a tough math test, a big game, or middle school drama.
Stress
When you communicate confidently, you stand up straight, look the person in the eye, and speak clearly. This style is completely different from being mean or _________.
Aggressive (or Passive/shy)
When weighing a big decision, it's smart to think about the consequences. This word simply means the _________ of your actions.
Results (or outcomes/effects)?
You might see movies or social media posts that make it look like "everyone" drinks or vapes. In reality, the vast majority of middle schoolers choose to do this.
Stay drug-free (or NOT do it)
Another strategy is to Explain. This means giving a real reason for your "no," such as saying, "No thanks, I need to stay sharp for _________."
Sports practice / a big test / my family
Having a racing heartbeat, sweaty palms, or butterflies in your stomach are all physical signs that you are experiencing this.
Stress
To count as actual bullying, an action has to be done on purpose, involve an unfair balance of power, and happen this often.
Repeatedly (or over and over again)
After you make a choice and see what happens, taking time to evaluate means looking back and asking yourself this simple question.
"Did I make a good/safe choice?"
Because alcohol slows down the brain and the body's nervous system, it belongs to this specific drug classification.
Depressant
If you know a group of kids is hanging out behind the school bleachers doing things they shouldn't, the smartest move is to avoid it. This means you do this.
Stay completely away from that area
This type of pressure happens when kids your own age try to influence how you dress, talk, or act—and it can be both negative or positive.
Peer Pressure
This skill means putting your phone face down, nodding, and genuinely tracking what your friend is saying without interrupting them.
Active Listening
In middle school, you get a lot more freedom. D.A.R.E. focuses heavily on this "R-word," which means being reliable, making your own choices, and owning up to your actions.
Responsibility
Vape companies use sweet, candy-like flavors and design their devices to look like everyday school objects, like USB drives or pens. They do this on purpose to target this specific age group.
Kids/Teens
If you are at a party or a hangout and things suddenly start getting unsafe or uncomfortable, your best defense strategy is to do this immediately.
Leave
Taking a few slow, deep breaths, listening to music, or going for a run are all highly effective, positive ways to do this.
Manage Stress
"Tattling" is trying to get someone into trouble. Doing this means telling a teacher or parent because you are trying to keep someone out of danger.
Reporting or telling
True or False: If a friend asks you to do something unsafe, a truly responsible friend will always do it just to show loyalty.
False? (Real friends respect your safety and boundaries).
Tobacco smoke doesn't just damage the lungs; it contains more than this massive number of harmful chemicals and poisons.
200 (Bonus: over 60 of them are known to cause cancer).
When you combine these four strategies (Refuse, Explain, Avoid, Leave), you get this word, which is the exact name of the safety strategies D.A.R.E. teaches.
REAL
If you see someone being pressured or treated badly in the hallway, you aren't the one doing it, but you see it happening. This is the term for someone who stands by and watches.
Bystander
A "Help Network" is a group of people you can count on when things get too heavy to handle alone. D.A.R.E. says this network should always include these types of people, like parents, school counselors, or SROs.
Trusted adults