EVALUATION OF IDAHO'S DARE (DRUG ABUSE RESISTANCE EDUCATION) PROJECTS

• NCJ Number: 148141
• Author(s): R K Silva
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 64 pages
• Grant Number(s): 93DBCX0016
• Sponsoring Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
• Corporate Author: Idaho Department of Law Enforcement
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services; Idaho Department of Law Enforcement
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report on the evaluation of Idaho's DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program focuses on the implementation process, indicators of program success, and outlook for the future.

Abstract

The DARE program teaches fifth and sixth grade students decisionmaking skills, showing them how to resist peer pressure to experiment with drugs and alcohol and provide positive alternatives to drug use. Idaho's first DARE program was developed in Emmett in 1988. In 1990, three new projects were begun, and over the last 3 years, 23 additional programs were started. The evaluation used five appraisal and survey instruments adopted from the Federal DARE Implementation Guide. Appraisal forms were given to school administrators, teachers, parents, and students. A site-visit questionnaire was also developed. Brief profiles are provided for each DARE project. Findings show that all the projects have achieved their objectives. The teacher's, parent's, and administrator's opinion survey revealed positive attitudes toward the program. The student questionnaire examined self-concept, knowledge and attitudes toward drug use, peer influences, acceptability of drug and alcohol use, consequences of use, and attitudes toward police. There were 5,512 students surveys from throughout the State. The questionnaire showed that DARE has helped students develop more drug-resistant attitudes. Further evaluation is required to determine whether DARE provides long-term, drug use resistance. Some positive, unexpected results of the DARE program are community involvement, multiagency cooperation and pooling of resources, and an effective component of the community policing programs. Among the recommendations are that the DARE curriculum expand into middle/junior high and high schools, that partnership with other prevention programs continue, and that community substance abuse boards/councils/coalitions be formed to assist the DARE program. References, resources, and appended DARE lesson summaries