TIFFIN, Ohio — After more than two decades, the D.A.R.E. program is making a return to Tiffin City Schools.
The last time the city of Tiffin had a D.A.R.E. program was in 2003.
So when a grant was made to fund the D.A.R.E. program and officers Christopher Perry and Alec Traxler became certified, it brought a new and updated version of the program that was around back then.
"It touches all the scenarios whether it be drug related, peer pressure related, cyberbullying, bullying in general," Officer Christopher Perry said. "So the drugs aren't the main focus anymore. They're an enhancement that we're going to stress upon as well."
"The age group that we're going to be starting with is more on their decision making model," Officer Alec Traxler said. "Which helps to kind of cut back on peer pressure and things like that and how to be able to make good choices for themselves."
There isn't just a need for education for drug awareness or cyberbullying. Tiffin City Schools superintendent Gerald Nadeau said it gives the kids in the area a chance to get to know their local law enforcement.
"The first phase is just having uniformed officers in buildings, making positive relationships with our students and staff," Nadeau said. "That positive relationship has been proven to help in a whole bunch of areas. It's another resource, it's another support that our students have access and availability to."
At the end of the day, police officers are always out protecting and serving in the community, and bringing them into the classrooms helps them grow comfortable.
"Being able to be familiar, I think, is just a positive for everybody involved and for the officers," Nadeau said. "They're going to get to see our students, they're going to get to see what we do in the buildings and that collaboration. We're here to support the whole child."