National D.A.R.E. Day

National D.A.R.E. Day, observed on September 15, recognizes the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program and its longstanding efforts to help young people make safe, healthy, and responsible choices. The observance highlights the importance of education, prevention, and open conversations about the risks of drug use and other harmful behaviors.

September 15 is also an opportunity to appreciate the educators, law-enforcement professionals, families, and community members who support children as they build confidence and resilience. By encouraging informed decision-making and positive relationships, National D.A.R.E. Day reminds communities that prevention begins with guidance, communication, and caring support.

National D.A.R.E. Day, observed on September 15, recognizes Drug Abuse Resistance Education, commonly known as D.A.R.E. The program originated in Los Angeles in 1983 through a partnership between the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Unified School District. Its early purpose was to bring specially trained police officers into classrooms to teach children about the risks of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful behaviors while encouraging responsible decision-making.

The D.A.R.E. model soon attracted attention beyond California. During the 1980s and 1990s, communities across the United States adopted versions of the program, making classroom instruction by law-enforcement officers a familiar part of many students’ school experiences. Lessons generally emphasized resisting peer pressure, communicating with trusted adults, setting goals, and understanding the consequences of substance misuse. This expansion helped establish D.A.R.E. as one of the most recognizable drug-prevention initiatives in American education.

Over time, the program evolved in response to changing research and public-health perspectives. Earlier D.A.R.E. lessons often centered on direct warnings about illegal drugs, while later approaches placed greater emphasis on interactive learning, social-emotional skills, coping strategies, and broader substance-use prevention. The organization also developed materials addressing issues such as prescription-drug misuse, vaping, violence prevention, and online safety, reflecting changes in the risks faced by young people.

National D.A.R.E. Day carries cultural significance because it highlights the long-running relationship among schools, families, law-enforcement agencies, and community organizations in efforts to protect children. September 15 provides an occasion to remember the program’s origins, recognize officers and educators who have participated in prevention work, and encourage age-appropriate conversations about making healthy and informed choices. Although evaluations of particular D.A.R.E. curricula have produced mixed findings over the years, the observance remains associated with the broader goal of youth education and substance-abuse prevention.