
Strong scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of prevention programs; report states keepin’ it REAL has shown positive effects on substance use.
INGLEWOOD, CA: The United States Surgeon General’s just-issued landmark report on alcohol, drugs and health entitled Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health, concludes that alcohol and drug misuse, disorders, and addiction, are among America’s most pressing public health concerns. As noted in the report, nearly 21 million Americans – more than the number of people who have all cancers combined – suffer from substance use disorders.
The exhaustive report’s chapter dedicated to prevention programs concludes that evidence-based prevention interventions, carried out before the need for treatment, are critical because they can delay early use and stop the progression from use to addiction resulting in costly individual, social, and public health consequences. As the study states, “The good news is that there is strong scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of prevention programs and policies.”
The report concludes that interventions for adolescents aged 10 to 18 have been shown to affect either the initiation or escalation of substance use. D.A.R.E.’s keepin’ it REAL curriculum is among a 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. America formed an alliance in 2008 with The Pennsylvania State University for adoption of the keepin’ it REAL curriculum as the D.A.R.E. middle school program. The program was developed by PSU with support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, utilizing rigorous longitudinal scientific evaluations to create this evidence-based program. D.A.R.E. adopted the keep’in it REAL middle-school curriculum that same year and its elementary school curriculum in 2013. D.A.R.E.’s keepin’ it REAL Elementary and Middle School Curricula adhere to relevant National Institute of Health’s Lessons from Prevention Research principles.
In 2014, Scientific American magazine commended D.A.R.E.’s Keepin’ it REALcurricula in its article, The New D.A.R.E. Program—This One Works. The “keepin’ it REAL” substance-abuse curriculum focuses on elementary and middle-school students’ decisions, not drugs (www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-new-d-a-r-e-program-this-one-works/).
Dr. Michael Hecht and Dr. Michelle Miller-Day, among the original developers of the keepin’ it REAL drug prevention programs adapted for D.A.R.E., state, “The early use of drugs increases a person’s chances of developing addiction and other physical and psychological problems. Consequently, preventing drug use is essential to reducing these risks. We are proud to partner with D.A.R.E. in their goal of providing evidence-based prevention programs to youth around the globe.”
For the full report and executive summary, visit http://addiction.surgeongeneral.gov/.
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
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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
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Middle Tennessee Softball spread smiles this holiday season with 3rd annual Christmas Toys for Kids Days
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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.