One of the many ways the Yankton Police Department takes an active role in serving the community of Yankton is through D.A.R.E. The D.A.R.E. acronym stands for: Drug Abuse Resistance Education.

D.A.R.E. began in 1983 with the Los Angeles Police Department and the LA Unified School District. The program began as a way to develop an approach to prevent substance abuse among children. The Yankton Police Department implemented the D.A.R.E. program in 1989 and has had great results with the children in the community of Yankton.

The Yankton Police Department has four elementary D.A.R.E. instructors, two of which are also Middle School D.A.R.E. instructors. These instructors teach in 4 public elementary schools and one private elementary school. We graduate over 300 students from the 5th grade D.A.R.E. curriculum each year.

The elementary curriculum is delivered by a certified D.A.R.E. officer to all fifth grade students and includes one lesson per week for 10 consecutive weeks. Students are provided with accurate information on drugs and alcohol and learn decision-making skills. We show students how to resist peer pressure and give students positive alternatives to drugs and alcohol. A wide variety of teaching techniques are used, including question and answer, group discussions, role-playing, and workbook exercises. 
 
In addition to presenting the 5th grade elementary curriculum, DARE Officers visit the kindergarten through fourth grade classes at all 5 Yankton elementary schools. These visits focus on child safety and prevention issues. Students are alerted to the potential dangers of misusing drugs, medicine, and other substances. These visitations affect 1240 children annually.

Yankton Police Department 
410 Walnut Street
Yankton, SD 57078
Phone: (605) 668-5210 - Non-Emergency