The DARE program is a program designed to educate area students about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and violence. Our DARE program has received numerous awards and has earned a great reputation around the state. This is due to the tremendous co-operation between the Sheriff, the program and the Schools. We have some very dedicated and caring educators who help the DARE officer and practice the DARE ideas in their classrooms and schools. The Crawford County Sheriff, Ron Shawber started the DARE program in 1989 with the help of Bucyrus Police Captain John Stanley. In 1990 Deputy Ley started teaching the DARE curriculum  and still teaches at the present time, and is continuing to further his education.

The two area DARE program merged together forming the BUCYRUS-CRAWFORD DARE INC. organization. Our program operates on donations from the public and small grants from the Local A.D.A.M.H. board. The DARE Officers salary is subsidized partially by the Ohio State Attorney Generals Office for the school year. The joining together and forming the corporation as a Non-Profit organization has allowed donations by the public to be tax exempt.

Our program has been recognized on the state and national levels with Erica Sawyer in 1998 winning the National DARE Essay. This award is a $20,000.00 scholarship for college. In 2002, Wynford Sophomore Carla Groves was chosen to be on the Nation DARE Youth Advisory Board which is comprised of a high school students from each state.

Our program has been recognized on the state and national levels: