Drug Awareness & Prevention Education

The D.A.R.E. Program

• D.A.R.E. began in 1983. Originally used in Los Angeles, the program has grown in popularity so much that it is taught in more than forty countries throughout the world and 70 percent of U.S. school districts use the D.A.R.E. program in their schools. The D.A.R.E. program involves a police officer visiting a classroom during a specified time and engaging students in various subjects about drug abuse and drug resistance. Police officers encourage students to ask questions about drug use and the consequences of drug use, in addition to sharing personal stories about their own experiences as law enforcement officials combating drug use in their communities. Students learn what various drugs look like; their detrimental effects to physical, social, mental and emotional health; and realistic ways to resist drugs and alcohol.

D.A.R.E. Controversy

• Although the D.A.R.E. program is a well-known program throughout the world, the program has faced its share of controversy. According to the article "Drug Abuse Resistance Education: The Effectiveness of D.A.R.E.," sociologist and alcohol-abuse researcher David J. Hanson argues that the program is not effective in helping students avoid drug use. Hanson writes that "studies have consistently shown that D.A.R.E. is ineffective in reducing the use of alcohol and drugs and is sometimes even counterproductive--worse than doing nothing." Although instituted in a number of schools, the D.A.R.E program has also been criticized by the U.S. surgeon general. In an article titled "Youth Violence: A Report of the Surgeon General" states that the use of the D.A.R.E. program for fifth and sixth graders is developmentally inappropriate. While the D.A.R.E. program does show children the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, the article argues that the program's methods are presented too early for middle school children, who will not yet come into contact with people urging them to try drugs in social situations. The article further argues that although the program helps children respect law enforcement officials, it does not reduce the chance of their drug use in comparison with children who have not been in the program.

Other Programs

• In addition to the D.A.R.E. program, a number of other programs instituted across the country focus on drug awareness and prevention. The article "Alternatives to the Failed D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program" lists more than 60 programs that use mentoring, community service, parental involvement, self-esteem development, positive-norm building and other methods to avoid the perils of drug and alcohol abuse. Each program differs in its target audience. For example, the "All-Stars" program encourages children and teenagers from 11 to 14 years of age to develop positive self-images and avoid self-destructive behaviors. The "BASICS: Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students" program is targeted to college students who have or are developing problems with binge drinking.