D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, a program that takes a unique approach to preventing drug abuse by providing education to students. Millions of school-age children benefit from D.A.R.E. education to avoid trying drugs.
Learn more about the D.A.R.E. program, its origin, and its impact.
Key Points
- D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, a program that seeks to prevent drug abuse through education to school children.
- Though D.A.R.E. was popular in the 1980s and 1990s, criticisms of the program led to reform.
- The new D.A.R.E. program, Keepin’ it REAL, takes a more scientific and evidence-based approach to drug education and prevention.
- Keepin’ it REAL shows promise, but preventing drug abuse in adolescents takes a multifaceted approach.
Origin of D.A.R.E.
The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program was launched in 1983 in Los Angeles as a joint initiative between the LA Police Department and the Los Angeles Unified School District.[1] It arose from a simple premise: empower children to lead drug-free lives through education about the dangers of substance abuse and addiction.
Though it started small, D.A.R.E. has grown into an international movement, reaching students across many countries.
About D.A.R.E.
The mission of D.A.R.E. is to provide children with the knowledge and tools to resist drugs, gangs, and violence.[2] The vision is to create a world in which students have an opportunity to enjoy a life free from substance abuse and violence.
Most D.A.R.E. programs involve law enforcement as educators and positive role models, teaching students about drugs and building positive associations between police and the ones they serve.
The D.A.R.E. program includes officer-led classroom lessons with a structured curriculum appropriate for K-12 students. It uses an integrated approach to address the challenges of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and vaping. Like other coursework, D.A.R.E. lessons are designed to build upon each other.
Many of the D.A.R.E. lessons were derived from SMART, an anti-drug program developed by the University of Southern California. Instead of educators, police officers in uniform delivered the lessons. They were also encouraged to spend time with students outside of the lessons, such as playing sports or talking.
D.A.R.E. Reach, Impact, and Reform
D.A.R.E. was a prominent program across US schools in the 1980s and 1990s. At its height, D.A.R.E. was an active program in 75% of school districts and had government funding.[3] The program’s growth was fueled by profits and merchandise, not results.
The program was popular among school officials and the public, but scientific studies in the 1990s and 2000s indicated that the program was not effective. One study found that D.A.R.E. provided good information. It had no impact on drug use.[4] Other studies showed that D.A.R.E. was ineffective and may nurture and encourage drug use.[5]
In 2009, an analysis of existing data from Texas A&M revealed that the program’s data may not be reliable.[6] Because the U.S. Department of Education prohibits funding for drug prevention programs that have been unable to demonstrate their effectiveness, funding was pulled from the program and revised to D.A.R.E. Keepin’ it REAL.
New D.A.R.E. Program
The revision of the D.A.R.E. program includes an oversight board, DARE America, a nonprofit organization comprised of substance abuse and prevention specialists.[7] The program relies on continued studies of efficacy instead of political motivations.
Keepin’ it REAL stands for Refuse, Explain, Avoid, Leave. The program is intended to improve decision-making and communication skills through peer interaction and role-playing. It addresses risk assessment, coping skills, support networks, and mental health—not unlike the tenets of addiction treatment.
The new D.A.R.E. program favors 10 45-minute lessons with situational videos and lectures for a more interactive experience, compared to the 45-minute lectures on the dangers of drug use given by an officer. The rest of the time is spent on role-playing activities with small groups of students.
The REAL program is available in rural, multicultural, and Spanish versions to reach different groups with different risks and factors. This ensures that it addresses the unique concerns in these communities.
Is the New D.A.R.E. Effective?
The new D.A.R.E. program is guided by science and learns from the mistakes of the previous program. Instead of using fear-based methods, lectures, and motivation for profits, the new program focuses on peer interactions and evidence. The DARE America substance abuse and prevention specialists oversee the program, ensuring that the latest developments in addiction science are considered.
Two field randomized controlled trials showed the effectiveness of the multicultural version of Keepin’ it REAL for reducing substance use across different ethnic groups and grade levels.[8,9] This highlights the relevance of including the audience’s cultural values, beliefs, and norms in the curriculum.
Though the program is fairly new, it takes a nuanced approach to incorporate scientific evidence and development with diverse methods.
Is D.A.R.E. Enough?
Though the reformed Keepin’ It REAL program shows promise, preventing drug abuse and addiction takes a more comprehensive approach. Many factors contribute to drug use, including parental substance use, parental supervision, family history, lack of school connectedness, association with substance-using peers, genetic factors, mental health disorders, and more.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), early use of drugs increases the chances of becoming addicted.[10] Drugs change the brain, which can contribute to addiction. Stopping early use may prevent these changes that can encourage more repeated use and addiction in the future.
Drug use is also common during times of transition and stress for both adults and children. As children advance into middle school and high school, they may encounter different drugs and social experiences that involve drug use, increasing the risk of experimenting. College is also a vulnerable time for young adults to be introduced to drug culture.
However, research-based or evidence-based programs designed around current scientific evidence—like Keepin’ it REAL—can produce positive results. Several programs are in effect now to manage the risk of drug use in families, schools, and communities.
How to Prevent Drug Use in Adolescents
Preventing drug use requires a multifaceted approach, but parents and caregivers can do their part to help. Here are some tips to prevent drug use in adolescents:
- Discuss drug use openly and honestly.
- Encourage questions and open discussions without judgment or reprimand.
- Build your child’s self-confidence.
- Discuss peer pressure and assure your child that they don’t need to do drugs to be accepted or have friends.
- Encourage hobbies and activities that are healthy and drug-free.
- Be a strong example yourself by abstaining from drug use.
Addressing Drug Addiction Beyond D.A.R.E.
Though the new D.A.R.E. program is learning from the mistakes of its predecessor, it takes more than one educational program to prevent drug use in adolescents and address the many factors that contribute to addiction. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use disorder, getting help as early as possible can improve the treatment outcomes.