The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program was one of the first initiatives to thwart gang violence. It started in 1983 with Los Angeles police officers speaking to middle school children about the negative effects of drugs and gang involvement. It has been used in school districts across the country. DARE was a catalyst for several other programs that focus on gang education and prevention.
Two years following the origination of DARE, the Substance Abuse Narcotics Education program was launched. One of the hallmarks of the program is the emphasis on educating students and teachers about how gangs function and best practices in avoiding conflict. Teachers are critical to the success of the program because they are connected to the school environment on a daily basis. The S.A.N.E. program also includes a component focused on the negative impact of drug use.
In an effort to involve the community in minimizing gang violence, the Community Youth Gang Services program was created in 1981. CYGS includes several components of education and active intervention. For example, students and parents can phone a trained professional 24 hours a day to receive assistance. Specially trained community members interact with gang members on their turf to provide support and even help them reconsider their membership. A special component of the program is a course called Prevention that educates at-risk children about why gangs are a problem. CYGS is known for its integrated community approach to gang prevention.
The Gang Reduction and Intervention Program (GRIP) strives to encourage youth to say no to gang involvement. Over the course of several weeks, fifth graders are educated about gangs and shown potential adverse effects of gang affiliation. GRIP also has a shorter educational program geared for second graders. With community, school officials and public safety officials working together, GRIP aspires to minimize gang involvement by showing children other options.