On Saturday, April 17, a long run and highly successful program came to a bittersweet end at the final D.A.R.E. lock-in held at Downers Grove North High School. As the final group of two hundred and twenty nine sixth grade students from Belle Aire, Henry Puffer, Indian Trail, Kingsley, Pierce Downer and St. Mary’s entered the lock-in, they were enthusiastically greeted by over two hundred Downers Grove North high school leaders who were determined to make this the most memorable lock-in ever.

The D.A.R.E. program began in Downers Grove in 1993. In 2000, a collaborative effort between Downers Grove Township, District 99 and the Downers Grove Police Department saw the birth of the lock-in. The lock-in was designed to give the sixth grade students a time to celebrate all they had learned in the D.A.R.E. program and give the high school student leaders an opportunity to demonstrate their choice to be alcohol and other drug free in a very big way. It was also an opportunity for the D.A.R.E. officers to clearly demonstrate to their sixth grade students that they could in fact, have lots of fun with their friends without alcohol and other drugs.
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This is the last year that the Downers Grove D.A.R.E. lock-in will be taking place given the recent village cuts of the program. Prevention Specialist Tyler Hill has been an integral part of helping to organize the twice year lock-ins for the 6th grade D.A.R.E. students. The final lock-in will take place on February 20 at Downers Grove South.

Lori Wrzesinski
Director
Division of Human Services
Phone: (630) 719-6670
Email: lori.wrzesinski@dgtownship.com