Here Buddy,
I thought you might like this one:
Editor Greensboro News & Record:
Re: DARE Instruction Does Have Impact on Students, Aug 21
State DARE coordinator Lee Guthrie "note(s) that the vast majority of accepted research says DARE does have a positive impact on students." I challenge him to name even one study that says that.
As a licensed Elementary & Middle School Counselor who has made substance abuse prevention & education a major focus of my career I am well aware that without exception every well designed, unbiased and independent study of DARE has shown DARE graduates are just as likely to use drugs as non-graduates. Some studies have even suggested DARE may actually increase rates of future drug use. After 25 years of DARE, rates of teen drug use in North Carolina are virtually unchanged.
Some say, "well, if it doesn't help, at least it doesn't hurt either." In fact, it does hurt. Time, energy and resources spent on DARE is time, energy and resources taken away from drug prevention programs that have been demonstrated to reduce rates of teen use and addiction.
DARE is a feel good program that creates a false sense of security. It allows parents, schools and communities to feel like they are doing "something" about the drug problem while actually doing very little. Feel good should never take precedence over results.
DARE is a private company with a product to sell just like any other text book or educational supply company. And it should be evaluated on the same standard. Would Guthrie so adamantly support a literacy program in which only one child learned to read, only kid learned his multiplication tables?
There is a reason that police officers are among the most strident defenders of DARE despite any lack of evidence that it works. Follow the money. Typically DARE funds at least one full time equivalent job. And who wouldn't rather spend their day surrounded by adoring, unquestioning 5th graders than out on the street facing down real criminals?
Greensboro schools would be well advised to follow the lead of school districts all over the US. Dump DARE and replace it with proven drug education and prevention programs that do work.
Greg Francisco, M.A.
32323 M-43
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 628-4340 |
