NCJ Number
109661
Date Published
1987
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This evaluation assessed the effectiveness of the Illinois State Police's Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Program, which teaches drug-resistance skills to fifth and sixth graders through a curriculum of 17 weekly 1-hour sessions.
Abstract
Uniformed State troopers teach the lessons. The evaluation examined the acceptance of the DARE officer in the classroom by the students, teachers, and principal; program acceptance by the community; and DARE's effectiveness in teaching resistance skills. The program's acceptance by the community and those directly involved was measured through surveys, and the students' learning of resistance skills was measured by an assessment of videotapes of students' demonstrations of resistance skills in role plays. The DARE program had board acceptance from law enforcement representatives, community representatives, teachers, and principals. Alcohol and drug abuse service providers did not believe the program to be appropriate, however. A majority of those surveyed, with the exception of the teachers, felt a local police officer would influence the children more than a State trooper teaching the classes. Most felt the classroom teacher would not have achieved as effective results as the officers. In a survey that protected confidentiality, the students were very positive about the program. An analysis of the videotapes of resistance skills displayed in role playing indicates the students learned resistance skills. 6 figures.