The Ineffectiveness of D.A.R.E.

To say that the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program is ineffective, as well intentioned as the program is, should not be a surprise to anyone.  If it were effective, the number of youth who refuse to turn to drugs and alcohol would be significantly less.  But a new study has discovered that the program is not only ineffective, but counterproductive:

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. 5

How do supporters of the D.A.R.E. program react to these findings?  By disregarding them, or flat out criticizing the scientists as having some type of pro-drug agenda.

Leaders of DARE say the program shouldn't be judged by evidence from empirical research studies. They tend to be indifferent to factual evidence and prefer to rely on feelings, impressions and hopes. As one DARE leader explained: "I don't have any statistics for you. Our strongest numbers are the numbers that don't show up.” 6

 Another excerpt:

DARE leaders not only tend to ignore scientific evidence but even challenge science itself. On one occasion, when confronted with the scientific evidence found by a major study, DARE leadership retorted that "Scientists tell you that bumblebees can't fly, but we know better." 15 Of course, scientists don't tell us that bumblebees can't fly and this statement illustrates a complete lack of any understanding of science. Similarly, the leadership sometimes seems to dismiss scientific evidence as nothing more than opinion or preference." 16

 "Our detractors like to characterize DARE as an 'Orwellian reality' or 'Big Brother' at work," says DARE. "These bush-league tactics are transparent for what they are: attempts to support various individual personal agendas at the expense of our children." 17

Rather than learn from the scientific findings, those in charge of the D.A.R.E. refuse to even acknowledge the damaging reality of their own program.  The dismissal of scientific evidence by the program reminds me of the stubbornness Christian fundamentalists have when refusing to acknowledge the scientific realities of things like comprehensive sex-education and evolution.