The third grade program consists of six lessons lasting approximately thirty minutes. The focus of drug abuse prevention at the third grade level is drug safety. VEGA was designed to meet the needs of all communities regardless of the level of school violence or gang involvement. In 1995 Officer Tim Gretz and Officer Jim Yester expanded the DARE Program with VEGA and entered the Junior High School Level. VEGA is taught in five lessons at the seventh grade level.
Conflict resolution is an important idea focussed on during each lesson.
In January 1998 Officer Christy Bourbonnais became our fourth DARE officer, taking over the duties of Officer Tim Gretz as he pursues another avenue in law enforcement. In December 1998 Officer Cliff Paul became our fifth DARE officer. Officer Paul serves as a part-time DARE instructor during the day and a full time crime fighter at night. The program is presented in science class with lessons taught by DARE certified police officers and Meridian Middle School Teachers.