Pubdate: Thu, 29 Nov 2012
Source: Castlegar News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Castlegar News
Contact:  http://www.castlegarnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3613
Author: Steve Clement

SUCCESSFUL? SAYS WHO?

Re: "Date set for D.A.R.E. (Drug Addiction Resistance Education) 
tribute" - published Nov. 17 on castlegarnews.com

It would be of interest to Castlegar readers to know on what basis you
have determined the D.A.R.E. program to be "highly
successful."

The opinions of the RCMP members that are being paid to promote the
effectiveness of their own program, does not provide any evidence that
the program is actually accomplishing the goals that it upholds,
namely, "working with school children to equip them with the
information and skills they need to make safe and responsible
choices," "As these children grow to be responsible citizens, they
will lead healthier and more productive drug-free lives."

It is interesting, how this program continues to exaggerate its
proposed benefits to the liking of parents, teachers, and other
organizations while expert critics, that have studied the populations
of youth that have been DARE educated, have determined that it is
ineffective.

"Scientific evaluation studies have consistently shown that DARE is
ineffective in reducing the use of alcohol and drugs and is sometimes
even counterproductive -- worse than doing nothing. That's the
conclusion of the U.S. General Accounting Office, 1 the U.S. Surgeon
General, 2 the National Academy of Sciences, 3 and the U.S. Department
of Education, 4 among many others.

http://www.alcoholfacts.org/DARE.html

Steve Clement

Castlegar, BC

- ---------------------------

Ed. note The "successful" reference was based on personal experience
with close to 10 D.A.R.E. grad events, and how the grads appeared to
feel about the course.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt