Contacting D.A.R.E. for comment proves too much work for today’s reporters; instead, they Google and quote a 21-year-old study!

On July 11, 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions spoke at the 30th Annual D.A.R.E. International Training Conference praising the nearly 35-year-old anti-drug curricula taught in thousands of schools in every state in America and 52 other countries.
The New York Daily News, the Washington Examiner, and the Huffington Post, among other news organizations, criticized the Attorney General’s statement that America needs the D.A.R.E. program today more than ever. Rather than meeting professional journalism standards by contacting D.A.R.E. for comment regarding the current curricula, these reporters dove to the lowest depths of journalistic professionalism by spending a few minutes on Google and citing a 1996 study on an old curriculum…a curriculum that was replaced nearly a decade ago in middle schools and more than four years ago in elementary schools. A call to D.A.R.E. would have resulted in a direct referral to a principal researcher involved in the evaluations cited, a referral that would have put research of D.A.R.E. in the 80’s and 90’s in proper context with the D.A.R.E. curricula of 2017. Simply stated, the 1996 study and other outdated studies that reporters have repeatedly used are irrelevant. Sadly, flawed, faulty, and wrong reporting limits the public’s awareness of today’s D.A.R.E. program.
Had the authors exercised “best practices” journalism and CALLED D.A.R.E. America, they would have learned that nearly 10 years ago, D.A.R.E. America formed an alliance with The Pennsylvania State University and adopted the evidenced-based keepin’ it REAL (kiR) curriculum for its middle school program. The kiR program was developed by PSU and Arizona State University with support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse utilizing rigorous longitudinal scientific evaluations to create this evidence-based program. Then, in 2013, D.A.R.E. adopted the keepin’ it REAL elementary school curriculum.
Contacting D.A.R.E. – or properly researching – would also have identified the United States Surgeon General’s recent landmark report entitled, Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health. That exhaustive report’s chapter dedicated to prevention states, “The good news is that there is strong scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of prevention programs and policies.” The report lists the keepin’ it REAL curriculum among a select number of select programs the Surgeon General identifies as building social, emotional, cognitive, and substance refusal skills that provide children accurate information on rates and amounts of peer substance use.
D.A.R.E.’s mission today is teaching students good decision-making skills for safe and healthy living. D.A.R.E. education programs are a collaborative effort of the essential components of a community – students, parents, schools, law enforcement, and community leaders. Perhaps some of today’s reporters need the D.A.R.E. lesson on responsible decision-making to help them make better choices when writing stories.
D.A.R.E. Returns to Chicago Schools
Welcome back, Chicago!
After 13 years, D.A.R.E. returns to Chicago schools with the April 22nd graduation of 40 Chicago Police Officers from a two-week D.A.R.E. Officer Training, and Chicago Police Department Announces New D.A.R.E. Program!
Partnership with schools will teach good decision-making while building trust between community & law enforcement…
School Drug Prevention Program Celebrates 1st Graduation In 14 Years
The Southampton Police Department held a D.A.R.E. graduation at Remsenburg-Speonk Elementary School Thursday — the first time Southampton Town has graduated a class in 14 years, according to Lt. Susan Ralph. Sixth graders who participated in the Drug Abuse Resistance…
D.A.R.E. America Meets with School Safety Advocacy Council
D.A.R.E. America leadership had a very productive meeting in Florida on April 4th with Curtis Lavarello, Executive Director of the School Safety Advocacy Council, the premier organization providing the highest quality school safety training and services to school...
Radney Elementary School Graduates 200 Students from D.A.R.E.
This past Wednesday, March 23, Radney Elementary School held a special graduation ceremony for over 200 students enrolled in the school's D.A.R.E program. The D.A.R.E. program has been taught to grades K-12 in Alexander City schools since 1990 and is a 10-week...
The UNC Greensboro and Prevention Strategies three year, multi-longitudinal study concludes: D.A.R.E. keepin’ it REAL Elementary School Curriculum is Evidence-based, Successful and Effective
The comprehensive study is the only one ever conducted reviewing any prevention education curricula taught by law enforcement officers, rather than teachers. Specifically, the study found: There were statistically significant reductions in the prevalence of drinking...
D.A.R.E. Rings NASDAQ Closing Bell
D.A.R.E. America/International CEO Frank Pegueros rings the Nasdaq Stock Exchange Closing Bell with remarks after the exchange’s Managing Director introduces D.A.R.E.
Middle Tennessee Softball spread smiles this holiday season with 3rd annual Christmas Toys for Kids Days
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - On a cheery December Friday evening and Saturday morning, a rush of holiday shoppers visited Blue Raider Softball Field to get closer to completing their holiday shopping at Middle Tennessee Softball's 3rd annual Christmas Toys for Kids Days....
D.A.R.E. “More Than Sad” Teen Suicide Lesson Helps Save Students Lives
In response to a fast growing crisis of teen suicide ideation, attempts and tragic deaths, D.A.R.E. America partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to adapt the Foundation’s “More Than Sad” mental health lesson for presentation to middle school and high school students.
How Important Is D.A.R.E.? – Officers Meet For Annual Training
“It’s really hard when you see someone that you know going down a bad path.” “There’s a lot of issues that confront these children today.”
“We’re a prevention program, prevent things from happening,” says Rafael Morales, the North Central Regional Director of D.A.R.E.
You probably remember yourself – or your kids– learning about ‘D.A.R.E.’ in school.
Copyright © 2022 D.A.R.E. America. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2022 D.A.R.E. America.
All Rights Reserved.