The Village of Pewaukee Police Department has been involved in the instruction of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program since the fall of 1989. Over the past 27 years thousands of school age children have had an opportunity to develop a positive relationship with the department and it’s D.A.R.E. instructors. D.A.R.E. is much more than a drug resistance program; it is an outreach program designed to foster guiding principles for our youth to follow. D.A.R.E. brings a positive role model into the classrooms in a uniform. Young children in 5th grade establish a relationship with their D.A.R.E. officer that can last many years after graduation.
The D.A.R.E. program is instructed through nine different lesson plans, all discussing the consequences of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Topics include healthy decision-making, managing peer pressure and building foundations for friendships and high self esteem. As a police agency, we recognize that our young people are our future leaders. We are grateful to have an opportunity to enter the school classrooms at a time when we can have a positive influence on the children in our community.
After the Village Board removed funding for the program due to budgetary constraints in 2002, a local businessman, Mr. Kent Loehrke of Mortgage Delivery Specialists, stepped forward and donated $4,000.00 to continue the 5th grade program. Since then, Mr. Loehrke has continued to fund the D.A.R.E. program, as he understands the value in fostering good relationships with the youth in our community, as well as teaching children the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
Since 2007, the D.A.R.E. program has been instructed by Officer Jeff Lenius.