Pubdate: Fri, 19 Jul 2002
Source: Athens Banner-Herald (GA)
Copyright: 2002 Athens Newspapers Inc
Contact:  http://www.onlineathens.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1535
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)

EFFECTIVE DRUG EDUCATION MUST BE BASED ON REALITY, NOT FEAR

Good intentions are no substitute for effective anti-drug education. Every 
independent, methodologically sound evaluation of the Drug Abuse Resistance 
Education (DARE) program has found it to be either ineffective or 
counterproductive.

The scare tactics used do more harm than good. Students who realize they 
are being lied to about marijuana often make the mistake of assuming that 
harder drugs like heroin are relatively harmless as well. This is a recipe 
for disaster.

Drug education programs must be reality-based or they may backfire when 
kids are inevitably exposed to drug use among their peers. Minimizing drug 
use requires strategies based on proven effectiveness, not "feel good" 
programs that please parents, educators and police.

Robert Sharpe, M.P.A.

Drug Policy Alliance, Washington D.C.
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