DARE INSTRUCTION DOES HAVE IMPACT ON STUDENTS

The facts about DARE: As the state coordinator for DARE, I think it
needs to be noted that the vast majority of accepted research says
DARE does have a positive impact on students. The instructional
methods used in the DARE curricula teach students critical-thinking
skills, problem-solving, and reading and writing skills. DARE gives
students accurate facts about tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and
inhalants from organizations like the American Heart and Lung
associations and NIDA.

DARE does not use scare tactics; if those are used, the officer is
not teaching the DARE curricula correctly. DARE's main focus is
teaching students how to make good decisions in the midst of peer
pressure. Using the current DARE teaching methods, students are given
scenarios that require them to determine what the problem or
situation is, the choices they have, the consequences of each choice,
and then make a choice based on those consequences. They then assess
whether they have made a good choice. It should also be noted that it
was the county commissioners who would not fund the positions the
sheriff is mandated to have.

Lee Guthrie