the D.A.R.E. program?

[shye]

I am wondering how moral or ethical the D.A.R.E. program is. They seem to be biased and use scare tactics for kids to scare them into not useing drugs. Is it right to use scare tactics for a group of people so they won't do something? and does the D.A.R.E. program really prevent kids from using drugs?

 

[Theogonia]

I compare programs like D.A.R.E. to PETA.

 

[tapero]

I am wondering how moral or ethical the D.A.R.E. program is. They seem to be biased and use scare tactics for kids to scare them into not useing drugs. Is it right to use scare tactics for a group of people so they won't do something? and does the D.A.R.E. program really prevent kids from using drugs?

Hi, I'm not familiar with what DARE teaches kids, but know of the program.

A parent tells a child not to run in the street as they may get hit. (scare tactic)

Drugs can ruin a persons life.
Alchohol can ruin a persons life.
Smoking cigarettes can ruin a persons life.

Kids do not know what we know as adults, and so to tell them bad things result from the use of drugs is just teaching them the truth.

Blessings,
tapero

 

[Allister]

Kids do not know what we know as adults, and so to tell them bad things result from the use of drugs is just teaching them the truth.

Why not give them a level playing field? tell them about the pros and cons (yes, i said pros).

 

[Theogonia]

Hi, I'm not familiar with what DARE teaches kids, but know of the program.

A parent tells a child not to run in the street as they may get hit. (scare tactic)

Drugs can ruin a persons life.
Alchohol can ruin a persons life.
Smoking cigarettes can ruin a persons life.

Kids do not know what we know as adults, and so to tell them bad things result from the use of drugs is just teaching them the truth.

Blessings,
tapero

And when used responsibly, drugs and alchohol can be beneficial because they help a person to relax.

 

[trunks2k]

DARE is a complete waste of money. In 6th grade we had to go through the DARE program at school. By 8th grade a good percentage of the students had used at least once alcohol or an illegal drug. I then went to a private highschool, in which everyone had taken DARE, I have a tough time thinking of anyone that didn't try an illegal drug (besides me) or drank alcohol when given the opportunity (including me).

 

[sister_maynard]

Straight-up scare tactics are unlikely to be useful in the long run. The fear wears off pretty quickly in the face of "hey, that looks cool and exciting." If the initial experiment doesn't result in instant pain, suffering, or other major consequences, the kids are more likely to dismiss even the legitimate risks as nonsense. A realistic approach explaining all the risks without scare tactics would probably work better.

 

[ExistencePrecedesEssence]

I am wondering how moral or ethical the D.A.R.E. program is. They seem to be biased and use scare tactics for kids to scare them into not useing drugs. Is it right to use scare tactics for a group of people so they won't do something? and does the D.A.R.E. program really prevent kids from using drugs?

It didnt work, nearly all the kids in my grade have either tried or are still doing substances many abusing them to a very high degree....i find it joke still.

 

[Everlasting33]

I am wondering how moral or ethical the D.A.R.E. program is. They seem to be biased and use scare tactics for kids to scare them into not useing drugs. Is it right to use scare tactics for a group of people so they won't do something? and does the D.A.R.E. program really prevent kids from using drugs?

I remember the D.A.R.E program when I was in 6th grade and I still remember hearing of all the negative effects of drugs. I do not see how this is a scare tactic...they are simply educating children how potent and dangerous many drugs out there are. I really benefited from the D.A.R.E. program and I still have the D.A.R.E. lion that they give out to the more "dedicated" students.

Like another poster said, D.A.R.E. is not very effective simply because 95% of my fellow classmates either did drugs or drank. However, I think it is a good program to have and I know that it made me think twice before using any drugs.

 

[Everlasting33]

And when used responsibly, drugs and alchohol can be beneficial because they help a person to relax.

I can think of more healthy and constructive ways of relaxing: reading a book, going for a walk, listening to music...etc.

Drugs and alcohol harm the body...even if it is used responsibly

 

[trunks2k]

Drugs and alcohol harm the body...even if it is used responsibly

So does candy, caffine, etc. The harm to using various drugs (primarily pot) and alcohol responsibly are going to be negligible. In some cases the occasional use of these things are actually good for you. Things like red wine can be good for your heart if drunk in moderation.

 

[Everlasting33]

So does candy, caffine, etc. The harm to using various drugs (primarily pot) and alcohol responsibly are going to be negligible. In some cases the occasional use of these things are actually good for you. Things like red wine can be good for your heart if drunk in moderation.

I agree that candy and caffeine are not healthy for the body and I try to avoid both if possible. However, I was not arguing about candy or caffeine but drugs and alcohol and they still harm the body, even if it is done in moderation (although red wine may be good for you, that is like the only example I can think of that is).

 

[flicka]

Our DARE program didn't use scare tactics. But our schoolboard is reviewing the program because it doesn't seem to have much of an impact.

 

[Mskedi]

Hi, I'm not familiar with what DARE teaches kids, but know of the program.

A parent tells a child not to run in the street as they may get hit. (scare tactic)

Drugs can ruin a persons life.
Alchohol can ruin a persons life.
Smoking cigarettes can ruin a persons life.

Kids do not know what we know as adults, and so to tell them bad things result from the use of drugs is just teaching them the truth.

Blessings,
tapero

I don't disagree that these things are bad, but I do think kids in 6th grade are old enough to get real information instead of just the scare tactics.

The things is -- kids know drugs are "bad" and "dangerous." To some, that alone is enough to make it appealing. To many it's not enough to be a deterrent.

Instead of wasting money on cops coming to schools and telling kids how our lives will be over the second we start taking drugs (and by then, most of us know that's not true -- maybe not from personal experience, but from older siblings, cousins, parents, etc.), why not spend some money on after school programs and counseling? If the kids are busy in somewhat structured and monitored (but not overly so) activities, they're not going to have as much time to do drugs, nor as much inclination if they're enjoying the activities.

And if kids have access to counseling, then maybe they can learn to deal with stress and pressure in a healthy way.

Instead of scare tactics, kids could be taught what classifies dependence -- physical or psychological -- so they can get help before the addiction is full-blown. They could be taught the actual effects of each drug instead of the "this will ruin your life" message for everything from pot to heroin. I don't think anyone would realistically compare the two, yet in the DARE program, they're on equal footing.

I've never done drugs myself, but that had absolutely nothing to do with the DARE program. My grandpa was paralyzed after a stroke caused by smoking. My aunt was in rehab from a cocaine addiction. I was well aware of what could happen. I was also well aware that those things don't always happen as there were other addicts in my family as well who hid it better and were able to recover before hitting rock bottom. Addiction was a risk I wasn't willing to take, knowing that my family is full of addictive personalities.

I found the DARE program to be an insult to my intelligence and to be largely inaccurate and dishonest. I think they have the best of intentions, but that it doesn't work.

 

[Theogonia]

I can think of more healthy and constructive ways of relaxing: reading a book, going for a walk, listening to music...etc.

Drugs and alcohol harm the body...even if it is used responsibly

Alchohol in moderation is good for your heart. I'm not sure about pot, but if it's used responsibly it's certainly no more harmful than alcohol.

 

[nvxplorer]

Kids do not know what we know as adults, and so to tell them bad things result from the use of drugs is just teaching them the truth.

The local DARE program tells six year olds that if they smoke pot, they will die. This is a far cry from the truth.

 

[chaz345]

I am wondering how moral or ethical the D.A.R.E. program is. They seem to be biased and use scare tactics for kids to scare them into not useing drugs. Is it right to use scare tactics for a group of people so they won't do something? and does the D.A.R.E. program really prevent kids from using drugs?

No it is not effective. Studies have shown that drug usage in kids that have been saturated with the program is actually higher than those who never participate in the program. Think about it. If you are constantly bombarded with messages about how bad something is, what's the first thing you are going to do when it comes time to rebel or to test your independence, which are things that nearly every kid does at some point?

 

[uberd00b]

The local DARE program tells six year olds that if they smoke pot, they will die. This is a far cry from the truth.

I've never heard of the DARE program, but if what you say is true this would be a dangerous tactic to adopt. After all, if the young people find out they were lied to about the pot, maybe they were lied to about the heroin too?

 

[Texas Lynn]

It's a boondoggle, a bone thrown to LE groups. DARE Officers are often single and love kids and it provides them an outlet without which they'd be more ineffective on the streets. Police Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs like it because it makes them look good. Lower middle class folks like it because in their view it provides the values they want to impart. I think it has good intentions but it's mostly a feel-good thing.

 

[billwald]

DARE doesn't work. These days cops don't want to do police work, they wany police pay for doing social work.