The Upper Arlington Police Division proudly unveiled its new D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) pickup truck to the community at the 2024 Labor Day Arts Festival. This eye-catching vehicle serves as a powerful symbol of the Police Division’s commitment to educating and protecting youth from the dangers of drug abuse.

The truck’s purchase was made possible through a partnership between Byers Auto Group and the Upper Arlington Community Foundation, showcasing a strong collaboration between local businesses, community organizations, and law enforcement.

D.A.R.E. is a proactive, 10-week program offered to fifth and eighth-grade students in Upper Arlington Schools, focusing on building the skills needed to resist pressures to experiment with drugs. The program goes beyond traditional drug education by addressing self-esteem, risk-taking, interpersonal communication skills, the consequences of drug use, and positive alternatives to substance abuse. By engaging students early, D.A.R.E. aims to address the drug problem at its foundation, helping the next generation to make safe and responsible choices.

Pictured Left to Right: Upper Arlington Police Division D.A.R.E Officer E J. Windham, Upper Arlington Community Foundation Executive Director Jessica Grisez, and Byers Auto Group Vice President George Kauffman