The D.A.R.E. Program was first instructed in the Mifflin County School District in 1996. The acronym stood for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. The program had 17 lessons identifying types of drugs commonly abused and teaching kids how to avoid the temptation from peers and other sources to use drugs. It also instructed kids about 8 different ways to say "NO" to drugs being offered to them and how to avoid violence.

The program is instructed by Officer Robert L Haines Jr. and reaches fifth grade students in the Mifflin County School District and private schools within the area.

is a joint venture of Mifflin County Regional Police, Mifflin County School District, and The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, teaching our children how to live drug free lives.

In the 2003-2004 school year, we have seen great changes in the program. The program is now 10 weeks long. The acronym has a new meaning,

DEFINE, ASSESS, RESPOND and EVALUATE. We teach kids about the harmful effects of drugs, how to make healthy choices and think about the risks and consequences involved in using drugs.

Most importantly, we teach kids how to choose good friends, how to take charge of their life, and remain drug free.

Our kids will always be tempted. It doesn’t matter how well you raise them, you always need to know where they are and who they are with. Your kid’s friends will be the first to offer them drugs.

If you shove a HERSHEY’S bar under their nose every day, sooner or later they will take a bite. Check up on your kids - explain that it’s not that you don’t trust them - you don’t trust others. 

In addition to instructing the D.A.R.E. curriculum, Officer Haines is also assigned to duties as a SRO, School Resource Officer, and assists the Patrol Division with normal requests for service.  Questions regarding the D.A.R.E. program may be directed to supportservices@mcrpd.org