Source: The StarLedger,1 Star Ledger Plaza,Newark, NJ 071021200 Published: April 28, 1997 Page 1 Contact: Doubt cast on DARE program U.S. study calls copled effort ineffectual in cutting drug use By Lisa STARI LEDGER STAFF It ranks as the most popular youthoriented drug education program in the country, has been embraced in 41 other countries and is a fixture in nearly 900 New Jersey schools. But the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program better known as DARE doesn't help keep kids off drugs at all, according to a U.S. Department of Justice report soon to be released. "There is not a scientifically sound study that shows DARE prevents kids from using drugs," said Joel Brown, director of Educational Research Consultants, which conducted a threeyear study of the program that is to be part of the federal findings due out next month. The view of DARE and other antidrug programs as failing their mission essentially a variant on the "Just Say No" theme first trumpeted during the Reagan administration comes at a time when drug use among teenagers is on the rise. Brown and other researchers who have studied a range of antidrug efforts cite a University of Michigan survey that showed marijuana use among eighth graders nationally tripled from 6 percent to 18 percent between 1991 and 1996. Others have noted that heroin is now pure enough to be just snorted or smoked, and is increasingly spreading from urban areas to more affluent suburbs. (photo) Piscataway policeman Jerry Mahoney reviews the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program for fifth graders at the Arbor School in Piscataway. Researchers say the philosophy behind DARE police officers in classrooms warning fifth and sixthgraders, for the most part, about the dangers of drug use doesn't promote open, honest discussion among students, who often get conflicting messages about drugs in their communities. "Kids want to have real discussions of drugs, not just hear 10 ways to 'Just Say No."' said Brown. "When kids get old enough, they reject those messages, and the ones bringing the message." And some New Jersey students agree. Several students at Columbia High School in Maplewood dismissed the program as ineffective. "They did it when you were too young," said Sarah Bryant, now 17. " I really don't remember anything. It wasn't nothing that special. If it was, it would have stuck in my mind." At Union High School, students had similar reactions. "I used to say I'm not going to do drugs, but when I turned 12, that's when pot kicked in," said Tony Abridelloa, a 14yearold sophomore. "'The only way to get drugs out of Union is to knock out Newark and New York City." But Daniel Skelton, principal of the Frelinghuysen Middle School in Morristown, said, "'We've had the program for six years and I have nothing but positive feelings about it." To "graduate" a program, students must take 17 classes that are each 45 minutes long. They normally receive certificates showing they've completed the courses. But there is no followup to determine the longterm benefits, a situation that Denise Zimmer, executive director of DARE New Jersey, said needs to be changed. Many school administrators say they retain faith in DARE, but concede it should only be part of a much larger campaign. DARE officials admit it may need some finetuning and can't be expected to work alone. Ralph Lochridge, a spokesman for DARE America, said some studies, including one released two years ago by Ohio State University, support DARE. He said the failure results from parents and community groups failing to reinforce what DARE is teaching. "DARE is not a magic bullet it's just one little piece," Lochridge said. "The problem is that the parents of these kids are baby boomers who experimented with drugs themselves. They are reluctant to send a clear message about the dangers of drug use." Nicholas De Mauro, founding president of DARE New Jersey and a New Milford police detective, said the program has never touted as a sure thing for drug abuse prevention. The program, he insisted, is still "in its infancy." Launched in Los Angeles in 1983 as the brainchild of thenPolice Chief Daryl Gates, it linked police officers promoting selfesteem and clean living with elementary schoolchildren who might be tempted to experiment with narcotics. The program was widely praised at the start. Even Chelsea Clinton is a graduate. DARE New Jersey began in 1988 and has extended to Australia, Italy, Spain, England, Costa Rico and Mexico, among scores of other receptive nations. DARE is turning to new approaches to increase its effectiveness, officials say. In New Jersey, a DARE advisory board of drug abuse prevention specialists which will "look at where we should focus and the direction we should take," De Mauro said. Nationally, DARE afterschool pilot programs offer chess, gardening clubs, tutorial help and recreational activities in innercity schools. That program, known as DARE Plus, is available in New York, Los Angeles Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Though classroom sessions headed by a police officer are at the core of the program, other DAREsponsored events, like dances and other activities can be held in a community and Tshirts and other DARE items sold to help drive home the point about the dangers of abusing drugs. Despite DARE's detractors, the number of participating New Jersey schools is increasing and currently there are 425 police departments and some 1,160 police officers in DARE programs in 857 public and parochial schools, organization officials say. De Mauro said he is not aware of any New Jersey districts that have dropped the program. Elizabeth Superintendent of Schools Thomas G. Dunn Jr., who noted there are other antidrug efforts at work in the district, said he is watching the DARE studies to determine whether the district's program should be modified or eliminated, but he said it is a good deal. "The cost (to a school district) is negligible," Dunn said. " 'The police officers' salaries are paid by their departments." De Mauro said DARE New Jersey holds its own fundraising to provide workbooks to districts and most of the cost of a police officer's DARE training, and also receives state money. The Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse indirectly contributes to DARE annually for example, giving $682,021 in 1994 for 217 program activities. Last year, the council spent $731,644 on 239 DARE activities and this year budgeted $699,745 for 274 DARE events. De Mauro said DARE receives a small grant from the state Department of Health. But even some law enforcement officers haven't bought into DARE. "I still believe we have to educate our youth, but the statistics (on drug abuse) are staggering," said Hackettstown Police Chief Leonard Kunz. "How successful have we been?" A number of cities nationally have the answer: Not very. In Seattle, the program was eliminated after Police Chief Norm Stamper labeled it "an enormous failure." School districts in Spokane, Wash., and Oakland, Calif. have also dropped the program. StarLedger reporter Barry Carter and the Associated Press contributed to this article.