DARE and GREAT

The Saline County Sheriff's Office implemented the D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program in Salina and Saline County in August of 1990. The program targets elementary students abuse, usage and experimentation of illegal substances and violent acts. Since the program's conception, we have also implemented the D.A.R.E. Junior High and Senior High Programs serving five school districts. Another activity associated with the program is the Drug Education for Youth summer program where kids spend a week long summer camp, being exposed to health activities and alternatives. The camp is sponsored by local, state and federal agencies as well as numerous businesses and organizations. Last year's camp was attended by over 570 kids, from around the state of Kansas.

The Sheriff's Office operates G.R.E.A.T (Gang Resistance Education and Training) Program. The program focuses on providing skills necessary to combat the temptations of getting involved in gang activities and behaviors. It will target seventh grade students in Salina and Saline County.

The Sheriff's Office is committed to the success of youth in our community. As a result the G.R.E.A.T. Program has teamed with many local dedicated supporters to provide positive alternative summer activities for the your of Salina and Saline County.

The Saline County Sheriff's Office joined Salina Parks and Recreation, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, The Kansas National Guard and the City of Assaria to provide summer programs for Salina and Saline County youth. The programs sponsored included the Assaria Summer Program, The Fishing Explorers Program, The Cops and Fossils Program, Ultimate Sports Camp, The GREAT Adventure Camp, and the GREAT Summer Camp.

During the summer of 2007 summer programs sponsored by the Saline County Sheriff's Office served 525 youth in 26 different program sessions. Programs were offered in at least one of the programs every day during the week of the summer.

The fishing explorer program is a cooperative program provided by the Sheriff's Office, the G.R.E.A.T. Program and Lakewood Discovery Center. During this program local youth will get the opportunity to receive instruction from conservation officers, from the Kansas Department of Parks and Wildlife, and local fisherman. The youth will then be taken to area streams, ponds and lakes, where they will get a chance to fish with guidance from leaders in the community. This program addresses three levels of fishing that can be done locally: Basics and Bluegills, Bass Fishing and Catfish fishing.

The Cops and Fossils program is a cooperative program administered by the Sheriff's Office, the G.R.E.A.T. Program and Lakewood Discovery Center. During this program local youth will receive instruction about fossils found in our area and how to preserve them. Youth will go on "Fossil Hunts" with local leaders and get to take home some trophy fossils.

The G.R.E.A.T. Adventure Camp is a cooperative program involving the Sheriff's Office the G.R.E.A.T. Program and Salina Parks and Recreation. The goal of this program is to teach youth how to succeed in our community. The first day of this three day program will focus on local opportunities that your have in our community at an individual level. We will teach the youth Frisbee Golf and trips are planned to the Salina Municipal Golf Course and many other local facilities. Other events of the camp will involve teambuilding and sports education activities. A trip to Wichita is planned to attend the Wichita Wranglers baseball game. Each day of this camp will end at the Salina Municipal Pool where youth will get to swim until picked up by their parents.

This summer camp is provided for youth in Saline County Schools who have completed the D.A.R.E. program in the local schools and will be enrolled in the 7th grade during the 2004-2005 school year. This week long camp will be held at Rock Springs 4-H Camp, south of Junction City. We have many activities planned for this week including a visit from nationally known speaker, Swimming, Archery, Horseback Riding, Canoeing, and Sports Activities. Youth attending this camp will view presentations about staying drug and alcohol free.

The G.R.E.A.T. Community clean-up is done by Southeast of Saline students and serves as a G.R.E.A.T. core curriculum project. For a youth to complete the G.R.E.A.T. program’s curriculum the youth must participate in this community clean-up at Southeast of Saline. During this one chosen day the school arranges for the students to clean-up specific areas of town in Assaria, Gypsum and around the school. Some of these areas are residences of elderly community members. We feel that this planned activity allows the youth to gain a personal tie to the community and community property, as well as showing good stewardship to other neighbors.

Youth are supervised by teachers, counselors, coaches, and other adult staff from the school. At the end of the day they youth are treated to a pop and candy bar, courtesy of the Saline County Sheriff's Office GREAT Program.

D.A.R.E. and G.R.E.A.T.