M.C. SCHOOLS DID THEIR HOMEWORK IN DECIDING TO DROP DARE
PROGRAM

It seemed like such a sure-fire concept when founded in 1983: Have
cops teach kids about the dangers of drugs in hopes they'll never use
them.

But the facts are that DARE - Drug Abuse Resistance Education - isn't
as effective as once thought.

That's why we agree with the Mason City School District's decision to
end the program after more than 20 years.

As is often the case in operating schools, it came down to the best
use of available personnel.

In Mason City, the program was suspended five weeks ago when the
officer teaching the course was placed on medical leave. The district
could have assigned one of its two resource officers - like the DARE
officer, both are Mason City police officers assigned to the schools -
to fill the DARE void or choose to drop the program.

Superintendent Keith Sersland said it was decided to keep the resource
officers right where they are, in Mason City High/John Adams Middle
School and Roosevelt Middle School/elementary schools.

He said having campus police has obvious advantages, but said officers
also become listening posts as students seek them out for advice on
many issues.

Sersland also said other programs can pick up substance-abuse
education and that other wellness curricula is being worked into
programming for fifth through eighth grades.

That sounds good to us, and should sound good to parents - who, of
course, should be at the head of the class in teaching their kids
about the dangers of drugs.

Teaching is something DARE wasn't as effective at as it might have
seemed.

Studies we found basically concluded there was no proof that students
who went through DARE were less likely to use drugs. No less
authorities than the U.S. Surgeon General's Office, National Academy
of Science and National Institute of Justice agreed.

One study, by the University of Indiana, even found those who
completed DARE had higher rates of illegal drug use; something about
students wanting to find out first-hand if what they were being told
was true.

So it's goodbye DARE in Mason City and hello to a new and developing
formula for substance-abuse education. Best of all, it keeps police
contacts in roles where they've been proven most valuable.

It's obvious the district has done its homework on this one.