Dont you D.A.R.E. (the D.A.R.E. program is bad)

Here is why



Preventing adolescent drug abuse is a national concern. A number of programs have been developed to tackle the problem, yet teen drug use has gone up. No program should be treated as a sacred cow at the cost of our young people's lives and well being. It's time for America to stop living in denial. Police are not licensed teachers and they don't belong in a classroom; they belong out on the streets to protect the community from crime, doing the job they have been trained to do.

DARE is costly and ineffective. It wastes educational and police resources. The link between schools and drug police has become a sacred cow that leads to a false sense of security, despite clear evidence that DARE is a failure. Since its curriculum went national, two patterns have emerged: more students now do drugs, and they start using drugs at an earlier age.

There is no simple answer to the drug war, and simplistic approaches often do more harm than good. Be a part of the solution. Work with schools to make drug education effective through truth, moderation and personal responsibility.

Why D.A.R.E. does not work

DARE glamorizes drugs. DARE brings students uniformed police officers (sometimes with a gun) driving seized drug vehicles, handing out free goodies like buttons, bumper stickers, tee-shirts, sodas, ribbons, diplomas and awards to capture kids' interest. This draws an undue amount of attention to a taboo activity, creating the "forbidden fruit" effect that actually increases drugs' appeal.

DARE sends a mixed message. Lumping all drugs together, without comparing relative risks, impairs judgment. Even its name, "dare," encourages risk-taking behavior.

DARE sends harmful stereotypes, self-fulfilling prophesies. Students are taught that once they try drugs they are losers who will become addicts and ruin their lives. Too often, they believe this lie and fall into the very pattern that is most destructive.

Students know DARE lies to them. Students compare notes and experiences outside of school, often ridiculing the DARE class. As a result they learn to distrust all drug education.

Kids "just say no" to DARE. After all, rejection is the main lesson they learn in the class: not how to make responsible decisions or wait until you grow up, simply to be intolerant and negative.

DARE has a hidden agenda. DARE is more than just a thinly veiled public relations device for the police department. It is a propaganda tool that indoctrinates children in the politics of the Drug War, and a hidden lobbying strategy to increase police budgets.



We have positive solutions

Deglamorize drug education. Don't exaggerate the importance of drugs. Don't hold them up as a litmus test of character. Don't reinforce negative self images or predict self-destruction. Offer hope.

Utilize honest and effective educational programs that treat drug use as just another part of a broad health curriculum, with topics such as medical care, nutrition, exercise, hygiene, ecology, safety, and other activities that affect the students' quality of life.

Teach personal responsibility. Drugs are only part of the problem; so are poor life skills. Children need to learn how to treat themselves and others with respect, which kinds of behavior are appropriate at what age, and how to make good decisions in life.

Sponsor after-school library and recreation programs to fill unsupervised time. Studies show that even more important than drug education is the amount of unsupervised time kids have after school, when they are more likely to try out drugs and otherwise get into trouble. It pays to give them something better to do.

Parents must take a leadership role. Schools can't solve the problem alone. Talk to your children. Tune out the TV; don't let your children watch violent shows filled with anti-social behavior. Make sure your school sends an honest, positive message that includes models of abstinence, moderation, and responsibility.

Make America's drug laws fair. Justice and consistency should be cornerstones of the law. In fact, the biggest dangers of illegal drugs are criminal penalties. Long mandatory prison sentences for marijuana amid ads that glamorize alcohol and tobacco are hypocritical and illogical. Why are children confused? They expect our laws to be fair.



D.A.R.E. hurts communities

The DARE program creates a dangerous emotional bond that makes it difficult to even objectively discuss the subject of drug education with its more fanatical devotees. And while many officers are well intended, some DARE officers can't resist abusing their power.

· An Iowa D.A.R.E., Officer Trimble, was caught stealing drugs, trafficking meth-ampheta-mine, and making pornography was returned to the classroom, according to the Associated Press.

· An Arizona DARE officer took out a search warrant on the home of a student whose parents held him out of the program.

· A Colorado DARE officer got a student to turn in his own parents, then bragged to the national press that it's what he had "taught him to do".

· An investigation by the Massachussetts Boston Globe found that DARE funds are often used for police perks - not the program or the children.

Credits to http://www.fcda.org/index.html.

 

i did dare when i was in sixth grade (maybe fifth, not sure). i remember not learning much. but i didn't want to go try drugs after it either. i always saw it as a break from the normal school day.

i remember in one lesson the police officer told us that he had never taken any drugs. it was really hard for me not to laugh.

i guess you're right. real waste of time. especially since they insist on telling you a lot of bogus stuff. i only believe things about drugs when i experience them or see someone i know do them.

let's just call of the drug war. it's an impossible battle, kids are going to do whatever they want.

 

here here...i second the motion to disband DARE and i raise my beer can to it

 

agreed entirely.