Index for the D.A.R.E. FAILING OUR KIDS series:

Sun, 27 Feb 2000:

D.A.R.E. Doesn't Work
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n281/a04.html

DARE Wary Of Outside Reviews
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n281/a02.html

Some Schools Opt Out Of Program
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n282/a04.html

Officers Become School Favorites
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n281/a06.html

Officers Hope To Make A Difference
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n292/a02.html

Analysis Tracks Students' Drug Use
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n292/a03.html

Mon, 28 Feb 2000:

DARE's Clout Smothers Other Drug Programs
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n292/a04.html

Raves Thrive As Teen Drug Havens
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n293/a04.html

Parents Struggle When Discussing Drugs With Teens
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n292/a05.html

Tips For Parents
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n293/a03.html

Parents' Anti-Drug Resource Guide [many website links]
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n293/a02.html

Tue, 29 Feb 2000:

Editorial: Drugs: Dare to be Honest
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n293/a05.html

Readers: Cops Key to DARE Success, Failure
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n293/a06.html

READERS: COPS KEY TO DARE SUCCESS, FAILURE

The power and success of Metro Detroit's DARE drug education is
closely tied to the charisma -- or lack of it -- displayed by police
officers who teach the widespread school program, say readers of a
Detroit News two-part series.

The series found that children enrolled in the 16-week course are no
less likely to try drugs and alcohol than peers who don't complete the
controversial program.

Across Metro Detroit, 70 school districts teach the lessons of drug
dangers to thousands of fifth-graders and sixth-graders. DARE stands
for Drug Abuse Resistance Program.

"We think it's a great program. I watched my kids bond with a great
police officer," said Cathy Spiegel of Redford Township, whose four
teens attended DARE classes in elementary school.

"Exposure to that officer was as important as the message of not using
drugs," Spiegel said. "He was a positive early role model."

Southfield Public Schools officials said they plan to keep the program
in the city's 10 elementary schools, despite the criticism.

"We've heard a lot of these allegations before. But the kids do
develop a rapport with the officers," said Kenson Siver, a spokesman
for the district.

School officials in Plymouth-Canton's district also applauded DARE's
efforts to link younger students with police. Without the program,
they said, children have no regular exposure to police.

"Our kids are watching police in a different role than portrayed in
the media," said Verna Anible, the district's director of instruction.
"It's not unusual for officers to go out at lunch time and shoot
baskets with these kids."

Reacting to the News' series, some police objected to what they viewed
as a too-sweeping dismissal of DARE's effectiveness.

"Let's not kill what little good we may be doing with DARE," said
Huron Township Police Chief James Caygill. "The program humanizes the
guys in uniform. What other programs for kids do we have?"