DRUG-FREE PLEDGES DWINDLE OVER TIME

Students walk off the stage with certificates in hands, red and black
T-shirts on their backs and a lifetime pledge to be drug-free.

Horace Mann, St. Gregory Barbarigo and Maryville Middle School sixth
graders will graduate from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education
program April 12.

However, research shows the program does not leave a long-lasting
effect on students.

"Our students walk out the doors with the message and what they do
from there, I don't know," said Joe Suchan, Horace Mann fourth grade
teacher, said. "Many end up buckling under peer pressure."

The D.A.R.E. program, founded in 1983, strives to educate students,
kindergarten through eighth grade. The program teaches about how to
resist peer pressure and live drug-free lives through lessons plans
taught by trained officers.

Students meet once a week for 10 weeks to participate in activities
focused on self-confidence and making positive life choices.

To graduate from D.A.R.E., students must write an essay on what they
learned and develop a pledge for staying drug-free. But for many,
that pledge fades over time.

"What it boils down to is that we arm them with the information, but
they have to make the decisions themselves and some hold on and
others don't," said Sgt. Jeff VonBehren, D.A.R.E. officer,

Studies show no significant difference between D.A.R.E. intervention
and comparison schools that do not use the program in tobacco,
alcohol or marijuana use after completion of the program, according
to Pubmed.gov, a service of the National Library of Medicine and the
National Institute of Health.

During a 10-year follow-up study, researchers at the University of
Kentucky found by the age of 20, experimentation with drugs reaches
its peak. Students who participated in D.A.R.E. showed no difference
in drug use than those who did not participate by the age of 20,
according to the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

Although D.A.R.E. has limited effects on drug use, it is efficient in
developing social skills, self-esteem and attitudes, but effects
decay within just a few years after completion of the program.

"Obviously high school is when big peer pressure comes in because of
growth, rebellion and the need to be independent," said Linda Heeler,
Horace Mann sixth grade teacher. "We need to intensify what happens
to kids at these levels."

Despite the ineffectiveness of the program, D.A.R.E. remains popular
in 80 percent of schools throughout the country.

"I think it's very effective. Both my children have been involved in
it and when we sit down at home and talk, they know drugs are bad and
their information has to be coming from somewhere," said Marshall
Shell, parent of a DARE participant.

One reason for its popularity is the positive perception of teaching
children about drug use. Whether through a program or through
everyday conversation, raising awareness about the effects of alcohol
and drug abuse educates children.

"I'd rather see it (D.A.R.E.) continued than not continued," Suchan
said. "Education is the key to making good choices."

A second reason for D.A.R.E.'s popularity is how supporters compare
and generalize participants to children who do not participate.

By doing so, many perceive most children who go through D.A.R.E.
remain drug free, but the majority of students, whether in the
program or not, do not engage in any drug use at all, according to
National Institute on Drug Abuse.

"Although there have been negative comments of kids that don't go out
and stay drug free, there still needs to be a drug education program
and although it's not 100 percent effective, D.A.R.E. is successful
in our community," Heeler said.

As sixth graders across the country graduate from D.A.R.E., some may
easily forget their drug-free pledge, but some will strive to keep it
during the peer pressure years ahead of them.

"I will try and help my friends in need and I will say no to any
possible questions about drugs," said Megan Shell, sixth grader at
Horace Mann and participant of D.A.R.E.