Pubdate: Thu, 23 Jan 2003 Source: Times Recorder (Zanesville, OH) Copyright: 2003 Times Recorder Contact: http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/customerservice/contactus.html Website: http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2740 Author: Jim White D.A.R.E. NOT EFFECTIVE AS AN ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN Nancy Phillis DAREs anyone to challenge that "saving one life" isn't worth it. I will. I've seen this spurious argument many many times in the past, superficially it sounds as though it has merit, however where the DARE anti-drug program is concerned saving one life may endanger hundreds of others in the process. Study after scientifically peer reviewed study has shown that DARE is ineffective at its very best, that it doesn't "save one life," and at its worse, actually causes teens to use drugs (what effect on life might that have?). That is important to note because, as Nancy Phillis also notes, "drug and alcohol use is frighteningly more prevalent than you would imagine," a result no doubt of a program that has demonstrated a tendency to increase drug usage and an inability to prevent it. It is not enough to just do something, we must do the right thing, and the right thing would not increase drug usage or endanger a single life. I challenge everyone to investigate the Life Skills Training program, it has a more than 80-percent success rate and has not been shown to increase drug use. It is the only program accredited and endorsed by the Department of Education, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. DARE has never met the criteria of an effective anti-drug program. JIM WHITE Oregon, Ohio - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFlorida)