Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) is a comprehensive drug and violence prevention education program in kindergarten through 12th grade. First developed in Los Angeles in 1983, the D.A.R.E. program is based upon a belief that the only way to combat drug abuse and addiction is through early education and prevention. D.A.R.E. represents a cooperative effort between local schools and law enforcement personnel and has grown to reach out to all 50 states and many countries abroad. The program has expanded to combat not only substance abuse, but violence and gangs. By giving elementary, middle school, and high school students the knowledge they need to resist these forms of crime, the D.A.R.E. program can help make a dent in the increasing crime trends of modern day society.