Pubdate: Tue, 21 Aug 2007
Source: Greensboro News & Record (NC)
Copyright: 2007 Greensboro News & Record, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.news-record.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/173
Author: Lee Guthrie
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

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
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman