A joint resolution to provide for the designation of September 15, 1988, as "National D.A.R.E. Day".
PL 100-432 (S.J.Res.295), enacted 09/15/1988

102 STAT. 1638 
PUBLIC LAW 100-432—SEPT. 15, 1988 
Public Law 100-432 
100th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Sept. 15, 1988 
[S.J. Res. 295] 
To provide for the designation of September 15, 1988, as "National D.A.R.E. Day". 
Whereas D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a semester 
long program which teaches fifth and sixth grade children how to 
resist pressure to experiment with drugs and alcohol; 
Whereas the D.A.R.E. program is also provided to kindergarten and 
junior high school students and their parents; 
Whereas D.A.R.E. targets children when they are most vulnerable 
to tremendous peer pressure to try drugs or alcohol and teaches 
the skills to make positive decisions and resist pressure to partici-
pate in negative behaviors; 
Whereas more than 495 communities in 34 States now teach the 
D.A.R.E. program in their local schools, and a pilot program has 
been implemented for use internationally in the Department of 
Defense Dependent Schools; 
Whereas almost 1.5 million students have been reached through 
D.A.R.E.; 
Whereas because school children are frequently much more 
sophisticated about substance abuse than are classroom teachers, 
the D.A.R.E. program is taught by veteran police officers with 
direct experience with ruined lives and crimes caused by 
substance abuse; 
Whereas each police officer teaching the D.A.R.E. program com-
pletes an 80-hour training course including instruction in teach-
ing techniques, officer-school 
relationships, development of 
self-esteem, child development, and communication skills; 
Whereas the D.A.R.E. curriculum, developed by the Los Angeles 
Police Department and the Los Angeles Unified School District 
helps students undet-stand self-image, recognize stress and 
manage it without taking drugs, analyze and resist media presen-
tations about alcohol and drugs, evaluate risk-taking behavior, 
resist gang pressure, apply decision making skills, and evaluate 
the consequences of the choices available to them; 
Whereas independent research shows that the D.A.R.E. program 
has exceeded its goal of helping students combat peer pressure to 
use drugs and alcohol, and it has also contributed to improved 
study habits and grades, decreased vandalism and gang activity, 
and has generated greater respect for police officers; and 
Whereas the D.A.R.E. program has achieved outstanding success 
teaching positive and effective approaches to what is one of the 
most difficult problems facing our young people today, drug abuse: 
Now, therefore, be it 
PUBLIC LAW 100-432—SEPT. 15, 1988 
102 STAT. 1639 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That Septem-
ber 15, 1988, is designated as "National D.A.R.E. Day", and the 
President of the United States is authorized and requested to issue a 
proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe 
such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. 
Approved September 15, 1988. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 295: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 134 (1988): 
July 26, considered and passed Senate. 
Sept. 7, considered and passed House.