Nevada State DARE Officer Conference Begins Monday

By Lisa Davis
Carson City Sheriff’s Office was selected by the Nevada DARE Officer Association (NDOA) as an “Agency of Choice” and will host the Nevada State DARE Officer Conference May 2-5, 2011. DARE Officers representing law enforcement agencies from across the state will be participating in a variety of training activities that will enhance classroom skills, update DARE lessons, and to discuss current prevention issues. The event is sponsored by Northern Nevada Coin, Fandango, and Carson Station, with additional funding through Justice Assistance Grant.

Departments are suffering with budget issues, therefore only a selected number of officers were chosen to attend. There are approximately 20 DARE Officers expected who will receive a more intense and structured conference that will enable them to serve as trainers to update other DARE Officers in their respective departments. The primary conference theme will focus on bullying, drug updates and trends, and internet safety. Training will include presentations from the Mayor, Drug Enforcement Administration, Rory Planeta, Director, Alternative Sentencing, and the Honorable John Tatro. Some members of the Legislature have agreed to attend the “Meet and Greet” at the Carson Station and/or the banquet at the Fandango.

The DARE Program was reinstated by Sheriff Ken Furlong. Along with DARE, Sheriff Furlong has partnered with the community to incorporate a combination of local and nationally known and proven programs including Cops and Kids Sheriff’s Open House (May 21, 2011), Cops and Kids Spaghetti Dinner, National Night Out and Volunteers in Police Service.

Sheriff Ken Furlong said, “Our entire community benefits from quality education. It is an honor for the Carson City Sheriff’s Office to partner with the youth and the community. We are very fortunate to work closely with the Carson City School District who has graciously allowed our teams to participate in the classroom.” DARE has been endorsed from the National Sheriff’s Association as well as the Nevada Sheriff’s and Chief’s Association.

The D.A.R.E. program reaches over 26 million children every year and is in over 70% of school districts, all 50 states, and 43 foreign countries. DARE America established a website www.dare.org whic now receives over 12 million hits per month and is a resource for parents, teachers, children and community members. Nineteen studies since 1997 showing D.A.R.E. is effective including a study by the National Medical Association showing D.A.R.E. graduates are five times less likely to begin smoking than non-D.A.R.E. graduates. Today 15,000 D.A.R.E. police officers are in over 12,000 communities nationwide educating America’s youth and serving as the first line of defense in America’s schools. In July, 2009, the United Nations Economic and Social Council awarded DARE America Special Consultative Status.

Undersheriff Steve Albertsen said, “We are pleased to host the State DARE Conference. I felt it was very important to host in May so that DARE Officers could also participate in the Fallen Officers Memorial Service. These officers are usually unable to participate in the services as they are otherwise committed. Hosting the State DARE Conference is an honor.”

“Strong community support has been a key component to the successful delivery of all services including DARE,” said DARE Officer Lisa Davis, “when we ask for assistance citizens and businesses are eager to help. This year we are very excited about the conference – the classes, the involvement of our law makers, our sponsors, and the speakers have produced an event of real promise that will benefit DARE Officers as well as for the youth throughout Nevada.”

— Writer Lisa Davis is the Carson City DARE Officer and Juvenile Services Coordinator