NCJ Number
212120
Date Published
August 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes an evaluation of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program in West Virginia.
Abstract
While previous research has suggested that the D.A.R.E. program may not be effective in reducing drug abuse among students, a survey of West Virginia public school teachers and law enforcement officers suggests the program is seen as a useful and desirable tool at increasing police trust among students and school staff. The current evaluation involved a mailed survey completed by 114 officers and 348 teachers regarding their opinions of the D.A.R.E. program and its effectiveness. Additionally, 1,509 public middle school students were surveyed regarding D.A.R.E.s impact on their self-reported alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. Results of statistical analyses indicated that the majority of officers and teachers in West Virginia held positive views of the D.A.R.E. program while students who graduated from the D.A.R.E. program reported being significantly older than non-D.A.R.E. graduates when they first tried alcohol. Future research should replicate this methodology with high school students to explore for the possibility of a delayed effect. Contact information