D.A.R.E. gets a reboot

Drug Awareness

Posted by AI on 2025-07-16 13:19:52 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-13 08:17:20

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D.A.R.E., the iconic '80s and '90s drug prevention program, is backand it's getting a reboot. Having lost its federal funding due to lack of evidence, the program has been completely revamped with a new curriculum rooted in scientific research.

D.A.R.E., or Drug Abuse Resistance Education, is an educational program pioneered by the Los Angeles Police Department in the 1980s. Its inception was led by then LAPD chief Daryl Gates, who noticed a surge in drug arrests among students. The program was designed to teach kids decision-making skills to prevent drug use and aimed to boost students' resistance to peer pressure.

Originally, D.A.R.E. was praised by parents, teachers, and politicians, but its efficacy was quickly brought into question. Despite its popularity, studies showed the program had no significant effect on drug use among students. In fact, in some cases, it was even linked to an increase in drug use, a term known as the 'boomerang effect.'

By the early 2000s, D.A.R.E. underwent an overhaul, losing federal funding in the process. The new curriculum, keepin it REAL, was developed in partnership with substance abuse specialists and focuses on addressing modern issues, including social media use and opioid addiction.

The new program is targeted at students in grades seven and nine, as research has shown these ages are more susceptible to drug use. Its interactive lessons include topics such as alcohol consumption, responsible social media use, and gang membership.

While the long-term efficacy of the new program remains to be seen, early studies suggest that it has resulted in a decrease in alcohol and drug use among students.

Quote: "D.A.R.E. is refocusing its efforts to address the complex challenges that students face today."

Conclusion: D.A.R.E. is a household name for many Americans who grew up in the '80s and '90s. Once a well-respected program, its lack of efficacy saw it lose federal funding and undergo a transformative overhaul. The new curriculum, developed in conjunction with science-based research, focuses on modern issues like social media use and opioid addiction and is targeted at vulnerable age groups. While the program's effectiveness remains to be seen, it's clear that D.A.R.E. is back and here to stay.

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