By now most people have heard the news that the much-touted classroom warrior against drugs is a failure. The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) was proven over several scientific research studies to be ineffective and often counterproductive at teaching teens to avoid drug abuse. But can anything keep teens from participating in risky behaviors? A new study says no.
The DARE program is currently cited as ineffective by the US Department of Education (DOE), the US Surgeon General, the US General Accountability Office, and is banned from receiving federal funding by the DOE.
Why DARE fails
Some parents and family advocates blame the failure of DARE to keep kids from using drugs on numerous program flaws. The decades-old program began losing steam in the late 1990s, when the studies showed the first generation of DARE kids were using illicit drugs in greater numbers and starting at younger ages. Organizations such as the Family Council on Drug Awareness found that DARE creates what they call the “Forbidden Fruit syndrome” by both glamorizing and demonizing drugs at the same time. Other oft cited criticisms include:
- Harmful stereotypes of people who use drugs
- The consequences are lumped together instead of taking a real look at each separate drug
- Students know the program exaggerates consequences and therefore mistrust all anti-drug campaigns
For more criticisms of DARE, see the FCDA DARE page.
Alternative Solutions to Keep Kids Off Drugs
In a scramble to replace and improve drug abuse education, new alternative programs have appeared over the last several years. Experts suggest that the improved education emphasize personal responsibility and common sense decision-making about partaking in harmful substances instead of the blanket vilifying of drug use. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services departments identified 66 alternative programs to DARE; more information can be found on SAMHSA website.
Will any Drug Resistance Program Succeed?
Despite the best efforts of parents and teachers, new studies indicate that most drug abuse education programs may simply be a waste of millions of taxpayer dollars. One study, by Temple University psychologist Laurence Steinberg, blames undelveloped impulse control and logic in teen brains for risky behavior such as drug and alcohol use.
In an interview with Sharon Jayson of USA Today, Steinberg states, "We need to rethink our whole approach to preventing teen risk." Steinberg's review of a decade of research was published by the Association for Psychological Science.
"I don't believe the problem behind teen risky behavior is a lack of knowledge,” he continues. "Education alone doesn't work."
New brain development studies are cropping up across the country confirming Steinberg’s findings that the brain is not fully mature until after the age of 18.
Since teens are largely incapable of impulse control until they are older, experts tout parental supervision as the key factor to curb teen drug use, especially when kids are with friends. The mere presence of peers makes kids more likely to use drugs, Steinberg’s study found.
While parental supervision is important, educators suggest that a combination of supervision, education and healthy after school activities will be the best solution to ever growing numbers of teens abusing drugs.
Stephanie Cox - Stephanie earned a B.S. in General Science with minors in physics and professional writing from Portland State University. As a teenager, ...
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