The Carson City Sheriff’s Office will host the Nevada State DARE Officer Conference June 8-9. It is the second time Carson City has been selected to host the annual event, which brings DARE officers together from around the state to discuss programs, curriculum and prevention issues.
There will be around 35 officers who will attend the Carson City event.
“Carson City Sheriff’s Office is very pleased to host the State DARE Conference. It has been a goal for the past three years to bring the conference to Carson City and we are honored to see it come to pass,” Undersheriff Steve Albertsen said.

The DARE Program was reinstated by Sheriff Ken Furlong whose implemented community policing efforts incorporated nationally known and proven programs including National Night Out, Neighborhood Watch, Volunteers in Police Service, and DARE.
“The value of our children is well deserving of a solid commitment from the Sheriff’s Office to mentor and aid in their education, said Sheriff Ken Furlong. "Our entire community benefits from quality education and I am honored that the Carson City School District has for years graciously allowed our teams to participate in the classroom. Additional services that have become mainstays in prevention efforts are the Cops and Kids Spaghetti Dinner and Cops and Kids Sheriff’s Open House.”
The DARE curriculum is developed by educators and taught by trained officers. It focuses on responsibility, resisting peer pressure, facts about drug abuse and techniques in making good decisions. It has components for elementary, middle, high school and after school programs. It is research and principle based. Student learning experiences include authentic activities, active learning principles and officer facilitation. In July 2009, the United Nations Economic and Social Council awarded DARE America Special Consultative Status. There were 142 applications submitted and only 36 such awards granted.
“The DARE program has received widespread support in Carson City. Implementing it has been an incredible experience because our community literally unified behind the efforts coming from Carson City Sheriff’s office. I stand amazed every day!” said DARE Officer Lisa Davis.
Featured at the conference will be international speaker Ion Hill and Miss Nevada USA 2010 Julianna Erdesz.
"Ion has agreed to share the stage with Julianna and speak about the importance of the work DARE officers do, his personal appreciation of our role in the community, and some tips to help work with youth," Davis said. "Ion and Julianna are absolutely fantastic speakers and I think having the two of them at our banquet together will be very powerful and inspirational."
Sponsors for this conference include Carson Station, Round Table Pizza, the Carson City Chamber of Commerce, Local’s Bar B Que, Fandango Casino, Partnership Carson City, and Team Sports, Inc. Additional costs for the conference are covered by a Justice Assistance Grant awarded to the Carson City Sheriff’s Office and by the Nevada DARE Officer Association.
DARE Officers have to maintain their P.O.S.T. and DARE certifications. This training is an opportunity to showcase the strengths of the community and heighten awareness about substance abuse and decision-making.
Among the other speakers include the Hon. John Tatro, Rory Plenata, Director of Alternative Sentencing, and Dick Clark of Nevada P.O.S.T. Officers from Las Vegas Metro Police Department will offer certification classes in the new DARE Middle School Curriculum, “Keeping it Real” and other supplemental lessons.
Carson City Sheriff’s Office is continuing the tradition of building strong positive bonds between law enforcement, youth and the community. For more information call Lisa Davis at (775) 887-2500 ext. 41930.