NCJ Number
124558
Date Published
1988
Length
76 pages
Annotation
An analysis of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program as taught in fifth and sixth grader students in four Kentucky counties during the 1987-88 school year showed a significantly higher improvement among children in the DARE program than in non-DARE students and a significant increase in DARE students' understanding of drugs and alcohol.
Abstract
The program was conducted by the Kentucky State Police and focused on improving self-esteem, resistance to peer pressure, attitudes toward law enforcement, and understanding of drugs. The 783 DARE and non-DARE students were randomly assigned and completed questionnaires before and immediately after the DARE program. Parents, teachers, and principals were also surveyed. Results showed an increase in DARE student ability to resist peer influences, strong positive increases in the attitudes of fifth graders toward law enforcement, and a significant drop in positive attitudes toward drugs and alcohol. The 470 teachers and principals who completed questionnaires overwhelmingly supported the program, as did the 360 parent respondents to another survey. Results indicated that DARE makes a difference to students exposed to the program as well as to teachers, principals, and parents.