DARE PROGRAM TOO LIMITED

At the November meeting of the Jersey City Board of Education the issue of
cutting the DARE program was raised. I questioned whether the program
should be continued based on the fact that research shows it is not
effective at reducing drug use among children.

Among the research is a 1994 study commissioned by the Department of
Justice and published in the American Journal of Public Health that concluded:

"The DARE program's limited effect on adolescent drug use contrasts with
the program's popularity and prevalence. An important implication is that
DARE could be taking the place of other, more beneficial drug education
programs that kids could be receiving." - American Journal of Public
Health, September 1994.

Is DARE a popular program? Yes. Is it effective? Not according to numerous
studies that have evaluated the program, and yet hundreds of millions of
dollars are spent on the program each year.

Politically, it would be easy for me to support the DARE program and
criticize any cuts. It is a popular program, perceived as deterrent to
drugs, but I cannot endorse spending valuable, limited resources on a
program that produces minimal results. There is no doubt there is a need
for a program to prevent adolescents from falling into the downward spiral
of drug use but it is imperative to implement programs that are proven to
work and not continue on an unproductive course simply because it is what
we are accustomed to doing.

A broad approach to drug prevention is needed that includes early
intervention, involving parents, and comprehensive extracurricular programs
that include both educational and recreational activities. The current
approach of the DARE program is far too limited in scope to be effective
and starts at an age when many children have already been exposed to drugs
and violence.

I plan to work with state appointed Superintendent Dr. Epps, the other
members of the Board of Education, parents and community leaders and
students in developing and implementing programs that will effectively
address the needs of our children. We owe them at least that much.

Terrence Curran

Board of Education

Jersey City