Saddle Brook Police Department
Drug Abuse Resistance Education
General Overview of Program
DARE in Saddle Brook DARE
Officers
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) originated in California in the early1980's as a cooperative effort of the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Unified School District. The original concept was to have a uniformed police officer instruct students in resistance skills prior to their first encounter with drugs. With this in mind the 5th/6th grade core curriculum was created. Since its inception, the D.A.R.E. program has grown into a series of programs including Junior High School, Senior High School, Parents, and also a program for Special Education students. Each program requires a separate certification for the officer to instruct it. Saddle Brook teaches the core level (6th grade) and Parent Program at this time.
The D.A.R.E. Core curriculum was designed to teach life skills to students in the 5th or 6th grade. Prior to 2004, an officer instructed students one day per week for a 17 week period. The subject matter uses drugs, alcohol and violence as their backdrop. The learned skills can be used in everyday life. The lessons taught include consequences, pressures, ways to say no, effects of the media, stress, alternatives, conflict resolution, risks, gangs, anti-violence, improving self-esteem and more. The curriculum was updated after a pilot program in 2003. The new program consists of a formal 10 week instruction designed around a problem solving model. The use of facilitation techniques will be introduced to increase retention of information by the children and to increase the interaction between the student and the officer. In addition to the formal lessons, the Saddle Brook Police maintained their 17 week presence by adding addition areas of instruction including bullying, Internet safety, selection of role models, as well as other topics.
The D.A.R.E. Parent program is a 4 lesson (2 1/2 hours per lesson) curriculum designed to instruct parents in what today society has in store for them and their children. Besides structured lessons, the curriculum also includes a round table discussion with local government and civic leaders as too what is going on in YOUR community.
D.A.R.E. in Saddle Brook
In 1995, Chief Robert Kugler authorized the use of three other officers in the program. Teaming with Capt. Toepert were PO. Ronald Schroeder (ret), Sgt. William Havison and Lt. William Byrnes. The 1995-96 Academic Year saw one of the most celebrated culminations in the programs history. Because each officer was assigned to his own elementary school, the officers were able to concentrate on their school and target the students with greater efficiency.
1995-96 Academic year also saw the implementation of the D.A.R.E. Parent Program. Saddle Brook was one of the first departments in the State to run the certified program. This turned out to be one of the most significant programs in the Department's history. The response was overwhelming and it will be necessary to run further programs to accommodate the responding parents.
1997-98 saw the addition of another D.A.R.E. officer. PO. Jeffrey Panagia was trained and put right into the fire by taking over the teaching responsibilities for Capt. Toepert at St. Philip the Apostle School. Capt. Toepert took a sideline to teaching after 7 years of direct involvement.
1998-99 the D.A.R.E. Middle School program was instituted at the 8th Grade level of the Saddle Brook Middle School and St. Philip the Apostle School. Capt. Glenn Toepert and PO. Ronald Schroeder (ret) were assigned as the primary instructors for the implementation of this part of the program. The classes are taught twice a week for 5 weeks. This completes the 10 unit lesson. The cycle is being repeated three times in order to cover the six classes within the district.
In April, 1999, Capt. Toepert and PO. Schroeder received certification in the D.A.R.E. Senior High School curriculum. The Department hopes to initiate the Senior High School program.
September 1999 saw the addition of PO. Jeffrey Panagia to the ranks of Middle School certified officers and will be instructing at that level in St. Philips the Apostle School.
September 1999 also welcomed the return of Capt. Toepert to Franklin School where he instructed the core curriculum.
In June 2000, Capt. Glenn Toepert was selected by DARE NJ and the Bergen County DARE Training Cadre to be trained as a Mentor. Mentors are specially trained officers that teach other officers how to teach the DARE program to students. The 40 hour training held in Richmond Virginia was conducted by the Eastern Regional Training Center, which is run by the Virginia State Police.
February 2002 saw the training of the latest officer to join our ranks. Det. John Fontana, a 22 year veteran of the force was trained by the Bergen County DARE Training Cadre. We welcome Officer Fontana to our unit an wish him well on his venture to help the children of Saddle Brook.
September 2002 saw a change in the program with the DARE officers rotating some of their assignments.
February 2003 saw Capt. Toepert selected as one of only 30 some officers from across the nation to receive the initial training in the new 5th/6th grade curriculum and has been selected to pilot the program. Only 15 district in the Nation will have the pilot program before its final introduction next year.
September 2005 saw the addition of PO. Douglas Habermann to the ranks of certified DARE officers within the Department. PO. Habermann was assigned to Franklin Elementary School. This also marked the end of two outstanding DARE officers from the ranks of teaching officer. Capt. Glenn Toepert and PO. Ron Schroeder (ret) moved on after teaching for 15 years and 10 years respectively.
