Detective Gray to begin teaching D.A.R.E

Laurel County Sheriff John Root reports that Laurel Sheriff’s Detective Kyle Gray has successfully completed a two week training course conducted by Kentucky State Police and will begin teaching

D.A.R.E. at an elementary school in Laurel County.

The D.A.R.E. program in Laurel County is coordinated by the London-Laurel County D.A.R.E. board. D.A.R.E. is taught at all elementary schools in Laurel County, and is a 10-week course with a graduation occurring at the end of the instruction. D.A.R.E. stands for “Drug-Abuse-Resistance-Education.”

D.A.R.E. Officers go through a specialized two-week training where they are taught (and practice) public speaking, classroom management techniques, lesson planning, team building, and much more. The officers spend many hours working with trained staff and educators in the latest brain research, brain based learning, youth culture trends, drug information, learning styles, facilitation/effective questioning, and active listening. They also learn and practice the D.A.R.E. curriculum material.

D.A.R.E. is not just a “say no” program. D.A.R.E. focuses on many aspects such as decision making, consequences, risks, health effects, communication, friendships, peer pressure, personal pressure, confidence, refusal techniques, and bullying.

D.A.R.E. does not just target one grade! There is a curriculum for K-4th grades, 5/6th grades, and 7/8th grades.

In addition, Detective Gray was also certified in the school resource officer curriculum.
Laurel County Sheriff John Root stated that it is a privilege for him to provide a deputy to join the ranks of other instructors to assist in conducting the dare program at our schools in Laurel County. Our young people are the future of our county.