| For nearly two decades, drug education grew from the
Reagan era idea that kids should "JUST SAY NO" to drugs. Such
"no" based drug education forms the core of America's effort
to keep kids drug free. But increasingly, experts and researchers are
saying that these programs are not working.
For an excellent analysis of the current programs, including Drug
Abuse Resistance Education (DARE), read "Teach Them Well," by
Ryan H. Sager, National Review, May 1, 2000.
Mr. Sager writes: "By age 18, about 55 percent of students have
tried some illicit drug... At a time when educators and the
federal government are as committed as ever to the DARE program and to a
new $1 billion five-year taxpayer-funded anti-drug advertising campaign,
it is appropriate to evaluate the return we're getting on our
investment."
One alternative to DARE is "reality-based" drug education.
This concept is described in "Safety First: A Reality-Based
Approach to Teens, Drugs, and Drug Education" by Marsha Rosenbaum,
PhD, published 1999 by the Lindesmith Center.
Recent studies have shown DARE to be ineffective. To read the full
story, click
here.
Another alternative is for parents and school personnel to examine
alternative drug education programs whose effectiveness can be shown in
hard data. Such programs are available at low cost to schools.
"Keep a Clear Mind" is one example of alternatives to DARE.
"Keep a Clear Mind" is a minimal contact, parent-child drug
education program which is facilitated by the school counselor or
classroom teacher. The program consists of four lessons (alcohol,
tobacco, marijuana, and tools to resist drugs), participation
incentives, and parent newsletters.
In May 2000, "Keep a Clear Mind" was recognized as a
"model program" and applauded for its outstanding results by
the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, a division of the U. S.
Department of Health and Human Services. "Keep a Clear Mind"
is currently used by elementary and middle schools throughout Arkansas
and Mississippi. Co-author Michael Young has been a professor at the
Department of Health Science, Kinesiology, Recreation and Dance in the
College of Education and Health Professions for more than 20 years.
For more information on "Keep a Clear Mind", contact Mr.
Young at the Health Education Projects Office, 326A HPER Building,
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville AR 72701; 501-575-5639. |