​D.A.R.E.

D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) started back in 1983 in Los Angeles, CA.  D.A.R.E. is a drug prevention program taught Kindergarten through all levels of school.  The kindergarten through 4th grade  programs are geared towards what to do with strangers, teaching proper 911 techniques, rules and why we have them, food and medicine safety, feelings, and internet safety.  The 5th and 6th Grade programs teach the core ten week program.  The ten week program teaches about drugs, self-esteem building, resistance techniques, and what to do with bullying.  The 8th grade program is another ten weeks that teaches and helps prepare students for high school. New in 2019 they began a lesson on suicide prevention.

D.A.R.E. Nodaway County was formed back in 1993 for the first time.  It only taught the basic Sixth Grade Program until 2017.  Sheriff Randy Strong took Office in January 2017 and wanted to expand the D.A.R.E. Program.  Sheriff Strong hired long time D.A.R.E Officer  Sgt. Rick Smail.  Together Sheriff Strong and Sgt. Smail implemented kindergarten through 6th grade programs at all six county schools.  
Sgt. Smail retired in Feb. 2022.   


Starting the 2023-2024 school year Deputy Matt McDonald began teaching our D.A.R.E. program. He is also the SRO for our Nodaway County Schools.


Nodaway County Sheriff's Office
404 N. Vine
Maryville, MO 64468
1-660-582-7451