The Findlay Police Department is bringing back a well known program to keep young people off drugs.  While today’s adults may be familiar with the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) initiative, the department wants to take it a step further.  Their aim is not just to eliminate youth drug use but also for their lessons to help people make good decisions in all kinds of life situations.  This is a notable undertaking for a village with a three-figure population and a police department with just one full-time patrol officer. 

As Findlay’s Police Chief, Josh Ekiss is spearheading the effort to restart the D.A.R.E. program in the village.  He says this iteration will be much less lecture-based and more practical for kids who take part. 

Chief Ekiss will be the D.A.R.E. officer and will be the one visiting fifth-grade classes to run the sessions.  The course and instructor training are both drawn-out processes to ensure they meet their goals. 

The program has been fully funded.  Donations from the public – including through fundraising events – will allow the police department to run the courses.  In addition, a grant has helped finance the two-week training program. 

The D.A.R.E. program is not the only one the Findlay Police Department is involved in.  They also help those who are battling drug addiction and find fun ways to connect with the community they serve. 

More information on the Findlay Police Department is available on their Facebook page.