Pubdate: Thu, 18 Apr 2002
Source: Valley Voice, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 The Valley Voice
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/1388
Author: Cst. Mike Wicentowich
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n433/a03.html
Note: Headline supplied by MAP Editor.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

DARE TEACHER QUESTIONS CRITICISM

I'd like to thank Robert Sharpe from the Drug Policy Alliance in 
Washington, DC, for his letter submitted to the Valley Voice.  I am always 
curious on how people view the DARE program.  To this date I have only 
received positive comments on the DARE program from the students I teach 
and their parents.

In my opinion, the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program is a very 
comprehensive educational program.  It not only provides the DARE students 
(ages 9-10) with facts about drugs, alcohol and tobacco but also the 
reasons why these substances are used and/or abused.

In DARE, the students learn about effects of peer pressure, managing stress 
and anger, foreseeing behavioural consequences, resisting pro-media 
messages, and identifying alternatives to drug use.  DARE provides these 
kids with effective tools not only to help resist the temptations to try 
drugs, alcohol and tobacco but to help deal with everyday issues like peer 
pressure and violence.

I am not currently up to date on how many schools in the US are using DARE. 
I would like to know how many have dropped DARE and the reasons why...from 
what I know, DARE is still very prevalent in US schools.

Sharpe says every independent, methodologically sound evaluation of DARE 
has found the programs to be ineffective or counterproductive.  I believe 
the kids I teach deserve the best drug resistance program available.  My 
reason for wanting to teach DARE is to make a positive difference in my 
students' lives and to give them the tools to help to make that positive 
difference.  I think the more effective the program, the better it is for 
the students.

So if they are available, I would like to see these reports that find this 
program ineffective or counterproductive and the reasons....It is my belief 
that the DARE program is very pro-active in re-evaluating their program to 
help make it better.  I think these evaluations would be beneficial in 
creating a better DARE program.

Sharpe says the DARE program uses "scare tactics." I would like Sharpe to 
tell me what he means by this and provide me with specific examples of 
"scare tactics" that he has encountered.  DARE provides the students with 
information and facts then lets them decide on the appropriate action.  I 
haven't and wouldn't use "scare tactics." I agree with Sharpe that "scare 
tactics" do not work.

Sharpe says "Students who realize they are being lied to about marijuana 
often make the mistake of assuming that harder drugs are relatively 
harmless as well."  The DARE program provides facts about marijuana and 
reasons why people use it.  We also discuss the effects of marijuana and 
the positive and negative consequence of marijuana use.  We also discuss 
the same things about harder drugs such as cocaine.  I would not teach a 
program that had me lie to my students. I think being a teacher is about 
increasing knowledge of your students by providing them with the facts.

DARE acknowledges the fact these students will be exposed to drug, alcohol 
and tobacco use at some point in their lives.  It may be their peers, 
parents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunt or strangers. DARE is providing 
the tools and facts to help these students make their own choices about 
whether or not to use drugs, alcohol or tobacco.  I think the DARE program 
fully recognizes the fact it needs to be reality-based to be effective.

Sharpe says alcohol is a dangerous drug and it is often overlooked in these 
types of programs.  I agree with Mr. Sharpe that alcohol is a dangerous 
drug.  This is why alcohol is included in the DARE program and it is 
thoroughly discussed with the students.

I agree with Sharpe that this program is "feel good."  I feel good every 
time I walk into that classroom.  I feel good when the kids know me by name 
and run across the school ground to talk to me.  I feel good that these 
kids get to spend an hour a week with a police officer for 17 weeks 
straight.  I feel good these kids have the facts about potentially harmful 
substances that they might come across.  I feel good about these students 
having self-confidence about themselves and the choices they make.  I feel 
good about the DARE program.

If you have any questions or wish to attend a class to see for yourself 
please call me at (250)265-3677

Cst. Mike Wicentowich

Nakusp
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MAP posted-by: Ariel