Middle School Drug and Safety Prevention Project

The OJJDP FY 10 Earmarks Program furthers the Department's mission by providing grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance authorized by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended, to organizations identified in the Conference Report to accompany the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 (P.L. 111-117), H.R. Conf. Rep. No. 111-366 at 702-714.

The grant award for DARE of New Jersey, Inc. is to provide funds to implement a new drug prevention initiative for the New Jersey Middle School students to be administered in schools through a partnership of law enforcement officers, local schools, educators and parents whose goal it is to educate students about the personal and social consequences of substance abuse and violence. These funds will be used to implement the initiative, purchase materials, support training sessions, and evaluate the program effectiveness. Middle school students are learners in grades 6 through 8, ranging in age from 11-14. The program is a 10 week, 10 lesson program that is offered in 40-45 minute segments. The overall goals of the program are to obtain the necessary materials to implement the new SAMHSA approved Middle School program; to train and recertify a minimum of 750 officers over a two year period to deliver The Middle School curriculum; to deliver the Middle School curriculum to approximately 20,000 students in the state; to ensure the organization and delivery of all trainings through the dedication of staff time and oversight; to administer and implement this initiative by educating the communities and Districts on the benefits of the program; and to ensure the integrity of all services through an independent evaluation process. Progress will be measured by obtaining participant surveys, pre and post tests for students. NCA/NCF