Chicago Tribune Flip-Flops On DARE Criticism PLEASE COPY AND DISTRIBUTE DrugSense FOCUS Alert # 261 Feb. 4, 2002 Over three years ago, DARE critics were happy to discover at least one major newspaper understood that DARE was a massive boondoggle. At the time, the Chicago Tribune printed an editorial entitled "It's time to show DARE the door." See http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99/n829/a03.html The editorial stated, "What a waste! There's got to be a better way to educate young people about the hazards of substance abuse, but as long as a high-profile pseudo-solution is available, there's little incentive to find out what might really work." Since that time, more studies have confirmed what Tribune editors seemed to understand: DARE doesn't deter drug use. Another recent Tribune story about had an even harsher assessment from a police chief who said, "I can't tell you how many kids told me DARE introduced them to drugs." See see http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n130/a08.html Strangely, as the evidence mounts, Tribune editorialists suddenly suggest that DARE just needs to try harder. In an editorial published last week (see below), the Tribune accepted the spin of a DARE spokesman who said the mountain of studies condemning DARE may be wrong. The editorial went on to say that some local DARE programs work (though they didn't mention any specifically) therefore national DARE just needs to study those local programs. None of it makes sense based on the Tribune's own reporting. Please write a letter to the Tribune to ask just where these "outstanding" local DARE programs exist, and why the newspaper has flip-flopped on its previous sensible position. Thanks for your effort and support. WRITE A LETTER TODAY It's not what others do it's what YOU do PLEASE SEND US A COPY OF YOUR LETTER OR TELL US WHAT YOU DID (Letter, Phone, fax etc.) Please post a copy your letter or report your action to the sent letter list () if you are subscribed, or by E-mailing a copy directly to if you are not subscribed. Your letter will then be forwarded to the list with so others can learn from your efforts and be motivated to follow suit. Subscribing to the Sent LTE list () will help you to review other sent LTEs and perhaps come up with new ideas or approaches as well as keeping others aware of your important writing efforts. To subscribe to the Sent LTE mailing list see http://www.mapinc.org/lists/index.htm and/or http://www.mapinc.org/lists/index.htm#form This is VERY IMPORTANT as it is one very effective way of gauging our impact and effectiveness. Source: Chicago Tribune (IL) Contact: US IL: Editorial: DARE America At 20 Pubdate: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 Source: Chicago Tribune (IL) Copyright: 2003 Chicago Tribune Company Contact: DARE AMERICA AT 20 DARE America, the nation's largest in-school drug awareness program, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with its image and reputation in deep jeopardy. Born out of a partnership between the Los Angeles Police Department and the L.A. schools, Drug Abuse Resistance Education has suffered tough times recently. State and local governments facing tight budgets have cut DARE programs. Studies by the U.S. surgeon general, the General Accounting Office and others have questioned DARE's effectiveness. Illinois DARE officials predict that half of the state's schools that now offer the program will drop it by the end of this year. Skokie, Chicago Ridge and Peoria police have dropped it and others are considering similar moves. Chicago Ridge Police Chief Tim Balderman told a Tribune reporter that, after 13 years of DARE, his department actually saw an increase in drug arrests, "all DARE graduates." In DARE's defense, national spokesman Ralph Lochridge responds that the critical studies were either too limited or, in some cases, were biased against DARE's methods. The organization points to more favorable assessments, such as a 2001 survey of Illinois DARE by an Ohio State University professor. That study found that 86 percent of school principals thought DARE made students less likely to abuse alcohol and drugs. A comprehensive University of Akron study is following more than 20,000 students in various cities for five years to compare students who participate in DARE and those who don't. Drawing on the first two years of research, the study's director, Dr. Zili Sloboda, observes that students who have come through DARE are measurably better informed that drugs are not nearly as popular or commonly used as their non-DARE peers think they are. It should surprise no one that the initial research also shows the short-term benefits of teaching drug awareness and avoidance to children in lower school grades is lost later if it is not reinforced by effective follow-up programs. Particularly critical are the early teen years. If parents and local school districts invest all of their efforts in DARE's program for 5th graders, then let the efforts lapse by the time the youngsters get to high school, they should not be surprised when the anti-drug message does not stick. DARE survives largely because so many dedicated police officers and others who work with students believe in it. Local autonomy is good when it helps DARE to adjust to local circumstances. Unfortunately, an organization as big and varied as DARE can find that its effectiveness is burdened by inconsistent use of the program. As DARE America enters its third decade, it faces the challenge of taking what it has learned in its most outstanding local programs and applying those lessons nationally. Then it can narrow the gap between local chapters that appear to be producing results and those that are not. SAMPLE LETTER (Please note: If you choose to use this letter as a model please modify it so that the paper does not receive numerous copies of the same letter and so that the original author receives credit for his/her work.) To the Editors: I was baffled by the Tribune's editorial about DARE ("DARE America at 20," Feb. 1) As the Tribune's own reporting illustrates, DARE is nothing but a massive failure. Merely three years ago, the The Tribune editorial board had the good sense to call for the end of DARE ("It's time to show DARE the door," Aug. 11, 1999). Since 1999, a number of major studies have diminished DARE's already dismal reputation. But, now in 2003, the Tribune says, "As DARE America enters its third decade, it faces the challenge of taking what it has learned in its most outstanding local programs and applying those lessons nationally. " Which outstanding local programs is the Tribune referring to? While the Tribune has highlighted some DARE officers who are no doubt dedicated to their jobs, this does not translate to the existence of "outstanding" local programs. Officers may have all the best intentions, but the finest carpenter can't build a sturdy house on a crumbling foundation. This is a central problem with DARE. Local communities are reluctant to criticize their own DARE officers, especially when they are passionate about a difficult job. But this is where the false logic begins. Because our DARE officer is dedicated, DARE is good for kids and should not be cut. Or because DARE offers allows positive interaction between police and youth, it has value, and since we need to have drug education, it might as well be DARE. Or the worst, DARE offers positive interaction, and is therefore effective drug education. None of these assertions are supported by facts or logic. But the mere existence of DARE seems to make some people feel good, so good that they are willing to believe that DARE's many fatal flaws can somehow be corrected, even if such a process never leads to effective drug education. S. Young IMPORTANT: Always include your address and telephone number TARGET ANALYSIS With a daily circulation average of 679,327 The Chicago Tribune ranks 7th nationally among all daily newspapers. The Tribune accepts letters to the editor from everywhere, seeing itself as a national newspaper. While we recommend aiming letters for 200 words or less, the average length of pro reform letters printed by the paper, based on an analysis of the database at http://www.mapinc.org/lte/ is 231 words. Although rare, the paper has printed letters in the 300 word range. ADDITIONAL INFO to help you in your letter writing efforts, Please See: Writer's Resources http://www.mapinc.org/resource/ Prepared by: Stephen Young, DrugSense Focus Alert Specialist

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