DARE to Question Popular Program

Beginning more than a decade ago, several credible studies have cast
doubt on the effectiveness of DARE, a popular drug prevention program.

Most school districts continued offering it because it offers hope of
keeping the next generation away from drugs.

Now, with money tight, some communities are wisely asking whether
there's a better place to put scarce dollars for law
enforcement.

The question has merit. Without a doubt, the Drug Abuse Resistance
Education program is generally well received by students, some of whom
live in neighborhoods where the police are viewed through a skeptical
lens. The officers who spread the anti-drug message genuinely enjoy
interacting with bright-eyed youngsters in a well-intentioned effort
to keep kids out of trouble. Students learn about self-respect, about
the dangers of drugs and alcohol, avoiding peer pressure, and they
pledge not to use illegal drugs.

It's difficult to argue with any of those concepts.

Parents believe in it, too. Unless you drive blindfolded, you've seen
plenty of DARE bumper stickers around town. Even President Obama has
declared it a success, designating one day this month as National DARE
Day. All New Hanover County fifth-graders get DARE instruction, which
is fully funded by the sheriff's office; Brunswick County fifth- and
seventh-graders participate. Despite scholarly studies that suggest
DARE participation doesn't reduce the chances that a young person will
abuse drugs or alcohol, it remains popular largely because it sends
the right message. But the program can be expensive - the Brunswick
County Sheriff's Office spends about $100,000 a year on the program,
not counting what Leland contributes. Leland has spent about $93,000
on the program since 2005. The Brunswick County school system also has
contributed, but is reconsidering in light of unavoidable budget cuts.

Some people in government and law enforcement agencies, including
Leland officials, wonder whether the money could be better used to
make sure there are enough police officers on the street.

And the Pender County Schools recently abandoned DARE in favor of a
federally funded program that supposedly focuses on gang violence as
well as drugs. It's time to weigh the costs and benefits of this
beloved program.

Does DARE really prevent future drug abuse, thereby saving more
dollars than the program costs?

Or is it mainly a feel-good program that sends a positive message and
at least does no harm, even if its influence is limited?

If it is the latter, are we willing to continue paying for it when
local agencies are talking about laying off law enforcement officers?
Stopping the cycle of drug abuse - which fuels crime and violence - is
a laudable goal; education is an important tool. But if the message
doesn't stick, we must ask whether it's time to consider another
delivery method, especially when law enforcement budgets are being
squeezed.