Pubdate: Sat, 24 Sep 2005
Source: Times Leader  (Wilkes-Barre, PA)
Copyright: 2005 The Times Leader
Contact:  http://www.timesleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/933
Author: Terrie Morgan-Besecker
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

W-B AREA CUTS D.A.R.E. IN FAVOR OF 'SUPERIOR' PROGRAM EXCLUSIVE

"D.A.R.E. was a very good program. What made the program was not 
necessarily the content, but the individuals presenting the program. 
They did an outstanding job." Jeff Namey W-B Area superintendent

WILKES-BARRE -- Concern about the inability to document the success 
of D.A.R.E. has prompted the Wilkes-Barre Area School District to 
drop the drug and alcohol prevention program in favor of another that 
has been nationally recognized for its accomplishments, 
Superintendent Jeff Namey confirmed Friday.

Starting this fall, students will be introduced to Project ALERT, an 
11-week program that focuses on teaching children to resist drugs, 
alcohol and tobacco through a series of videos, small-group 
discussions and role playing.

Although the program and D.A.R.E. share a common goal, there are key 
differences in how the programs are presented.

D.A.R.E. programs are taught by specially trained police officers 
from the communities in which a school is located. Project ALERT 
utilizes teachers within the school who also obtain special training.

The D.A.R.E. program is typically presented to students in fourth or 
fifth grade. Project ALERT is designed to be presented in sixth or 
seventh grade, with a three-lesson "booster" course the following year.

Wilkes-Barre, like many other local districts, has had a longstanding 
relationship with D.A.R.E., which was taught by two city police officers.

Namey said the officers did an excellent job, but district officials 
believe Project ALERT has a better curriculum.

"D.A.R.E. was a very good program. What made the program was not 
necessarily the content, but the individuals presenting the program. 
They did an outstanding job," Namey said. "Project ALERT is a far 
superior program."

The program, developed by the RAND Corp., a nonprofit policy 
institute based in California, has garnered national recognition 
since its inception in 1991.

It is one of only nine programs that have been classified as 
"exemplary" by the U.S. Department of Education, said Marion Matison, 
vice president of marketing for Project ALERT.

That rating has been based on scientific studies RAND has conducted 
on the program's outcomes.

Among the key findings: It reduced the initiation of marijuana by 30 
percent, decreased current use of marijuana by 60 percent and 
decreased regular and heavy smoking by 33 to 55 percent.

D.A.R.E. programs, in contrast, have come under scrutiny in recent 
years as several studies questioned their effectiveness. A study 
published in the June 2004 issue of the American Journal of Public 
Health analyzed D.A.R.E. data from multiple studies and concluded the 
program was ineffective.

Namey said the lack of data to support D.A.R.E. is a key issue for 
school districts, which more and more are being called upon to 
provide hard data to support the programs they offer.

"One of the things the Department of Education is pushing strongly is 
for districts to have statistical backing to prove they're 
accomplishing what they say they're doing," Namey said.

"You need data to back up what you're saying. 'It seems like it's OK' 
is not an acceptable answer any more."'

Project ALERT is offered in 118 school districts in Pennsylvania, 
including seven in Luzerne County: Hanover, Pittston, Wyoming Area, 
Wyoming Valley West, Hazleton, Lake-Lehman and Dallas, Matison said.

The decision to drop D.A.R.E. has caused some concern among parents 
at St. Nick's school, who learned Monday the program was being 
stopped. The parochial school participates in the district's program.

Theresa Engle-Kastendieck, whose son attends the school, said she's 
had two children go through D.A.R.E. and can attest to its effectiveness.

Engle-Kastendieck said she's particularly concerned that prevention 
programs will no longer be taught by police.

"I think it will ruin the whole relationship with police. Most kids 
don't have experience with a police officer unless it's a bad one. 
This just shuts cops out of a relationship with kids, which I think 
is important."

Namey said he realizes the decision will likely cause some 
controversy. But he's confident parents will agree with the decision 
once they see the new program in action.

"I'm absolutely convinced it's the best program," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman