Anyone here think the DARE program is a joke?

[xmas74]

My child is now afraid of eating a tomato because the jackass informed her class that they have nicotine and that you'll die from nicotine.

Any other stories about DARE?

[MindPilot]

1. More than one police officer I know is of that opinon.

Funny thing I'm at this very moment wearing a DARE t-shirt on of those officers gave me.

I however do not have any direct experience with DARE.

[left coaster]

8. If anyone relies solely on a DARE program to educate their children on the drug issue..

..they would be doing a great disservice to their offspring. My impression of the DARE program was that it was only intended as an intro/ice breaker for children.. I seem to recall that our boys were encouraged, by their teachers, to come home and discuss it further with mom and dad. We were already way ahead of them.

[xmas74]

10. A neighboring town has a DARE officer that manages to stretch

the program from a few weeks to an entire year.

I remember all the officers laughing about it when I worked with law enforcement.

[left coaster]

21. Well.. they just need to add more info to the presentation...

http://www.theonion.com/articles/leastabused-substances,7281/


To help, you know, round out the education. :)

[xmas74]

36. And then they could stay off of traffic detail for the

entire school year!

[left coaster]

2. Both of our boys experienced the DARE program at school..

Neither was exposed to such fear mongering.. I'd say the fault here lies with the person giving the instruction.

[xmas74]

12. I'm not a fan of the officer.

I worked with him years ago and wasn't his biggest fan even back then. I'm sure he's no better now.

[Puregonzo1188]

3. My 7th grade DARE officer informed us on her first day that she was a DARE officer, because she

previously dealt with rape victims and had to leave because she could no longer be sympathetic them.


You can imagine the rest.

[xmas74]

14. No way she should be allowed to work

with children that young.

[Puregonzo1188]

18. I apologize very profusely. I misread your post.

I read "would" instead of "should" and misunderstood what you were saying.

Sorry for being such an ass.

[xmas74]

37. I missed the original post.

I had a backyard that needed mowed.

Not a problem.

[glowing]

4. The best is wearing your D.A.R.E. shirt while smoking weed..

Never a dull moment in college.. LOL those were the days.

[xmas74]

15. That's just wrong

but I have a few coworkers who would do that right now.

[kentauros]

99. In that case, D.A.R.E. translated to

"Drugs Are Really Excellent"
or
"Drugs Are Really Expensive"

:P

[BR_Parkway]

110. with a whole group of former classmates !

[Terra Alta]

5. it's a program that came out of the "War on Drugs"

and needs to be scrapped, along with the whole "War on Drugs" itself.

[xmas74]

16. I haven't found anything to

be impressed with in this program.

[cleanhippie]

111. "Its not a war. Its not a war on Drugs. Its a war on personal freedom. Try to keep that in mind

at all times" -- Bill Hicks.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. It really depends on the DARE cop

I've had some in my classroom who were horrible and some who were great. Same curriculum. The one I have now is fantastic. The kids love her and she's never said anything bad about tomatoes.

[xmas74]

38. I could see that.

Our officer is a joke, IMO.

[jp11]

7. Seems like it doesn't work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_Abuse_Resistance_Education

[xmas74]

39. This town has it and has had it for years

yet has a big meth problem. I don't think it works.

[proud2BlibKansan]

85. Your community is different from mine

But what I like most about DARE is the gang prevention part. They really teach the kids how to resist gangs. That's a HUGE issue here and we lose quite a few of our kids to gangs.

The drug part though is pretty much a joke.

[xmas74]

87. I can see where the gang info would be good for you.

We don't have quite that problem, though downtown became a fight a few years ago. Members were arriving from KC and St Louis because they heard that it was a good party and lots of girls. Once they got there they began fighting. Quite a few shots fired over time and some stabbings.

[left coaster]

9. I think you should contact the person who gave your child that info.

They might not be the best equipped to teach this info. without resorting to scare tactics.

[xmas74]

40. I was less than thrilled about the tomato/nicotine comment

along with the telling your parents to never, ever have a drink or it could kill you. She was upset because I sometimes use beer as a marinade for our meats and the officer told her that what I was doing was illegal and could get me thrown in jail for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

[Wednesdays]

83. *facepalm*

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gWQaU40PH24/TKrcPRd-rCI/AAAAAAAAJck/d5HDdXAzGUk/s1600/facepalm+-+Jon+Stewart.jpg

I guess that makes Rachael Ray and Emeril Lagasse PUSHERS for using marinade!

:banghead:

[xmas74]

86. Though the brats wouldn't be the same without it.

I'm contributing to the ills of society.

[Nevernose]

11. The officer who ran the Las Vegas DARE was fired

Back in the 90s, the police officer who ran the Las Vegas DARE program was fired. Any guesses what for?

That's right: she tested positive for marijuana during a routine UA.

There are also plenty of statistics showing that kids who go through DARE are actually slightly more likely to try drugs than those who don't. They also spend a lot of time on scaring kids and not much time on education.

[xmas74]

41. She had DARE camp on Friday.

She was mad about something when she got home, saying that it "just doesn't make sense".

She still won't tell me what that's about.

[GKirk]

100. Did you just make an arguement against

sex education in school?

"There are also plenty of statistics showing that kids who go through DARE are actually slightly more likely to try drugs than those who don't."

[jeff47]

101. No, because the statistics show that sex education

reduces the frequency of sex among teens. At least, competently-taught "complete" versions do. The "plumbing lesson" level of education has no significant effect.

[KurtNYC]

112. the rumor in L.A. was that DARE was started by a cop who

used the program as an excuse to get cocaine out of evidence lockers...allegedly because kids need to know what real cocaine looks like. Not all of the coke made in back into evidence. can't find a link confirming that though

DARE has become like AA, the only game in town whether it works or not. One size fits all.

[dddem]

13. In 5th grade, my daughter was a DARE enthusiast

She would get all upset if my husband had a beer - 'A' beer, not a 12 pack.
2 years of college undid that, I can assure you!
In her case, to be fair, I do think it got her through high school without incident, which is what I hoped for. Most DARE programs are having a lot of trouble with funding, so I think this will be a moot point sooner than later.

[xmas74]

42. I've heard quite a few kids at that age

really get involved in it, telling their parents what they do is wrong.

Of course, I don't think the officers should be teaching it that way either.

[Brickbat]

17. There has been little done on its efficacy and I think it's more of a PR move. Having said that, I

am happy that my son knows the sheriff and police chief in this tiny town by name, and that they know him by name now, too. I'm OK with that part. The program also brought up some good topics of conversation around our supper table, and if it helps other families with that, I can't be against it.

On the whole, however, I think it's more of a feel-good thing than something whose effectiveness is proven.

[xmas74]

43. From what I've read

with her materials it's just that-a PR move.

She learned almost nothing of value in that required course.

[Brickbat]

81. I think it's the type of thing where some families already talk about a lot of those things with

their children, and some don't, and this can provide an opening. And like I said, in a small town where we are relative newcomers, I liked my son and the law enforcement getting to know each other. These were the parts I tried to play up while my kid was going through it. But because there are no numbers on how it delays or reduces drug use, and because it can be used as an abstinence push (by putting alcohol and all legal and illegal drugs in one category), it can be misused and misunderstood in a bad way.

[tularetom]

19. My kid thought it was when he was a cop

The only officers that would volunteer for it were either ass kissers or religious zealots who were opposed to fun of any kind.

As you can imagine, the impression that kids got was not positive for the PD and they began assigning officers to visit the schools.

My kid did one visit before he left the force to seek other opportunities.

[xmas74]

44. It seems like a joke.

Instead of scaring them why don't they give them valuable information. Why make them sign pledges saying they will never, ever do drugs or consume alcohol at any time in their entire lives?

All the kids signed this pledge in order to attend DARE camp.

[Heywood J]

20. I remember that program.

I was the only seventh grader in the room who could name three street names each for LSD, marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. No one in my extended family has used anything in twenty years, nor did anyone I knew at the time, but it was interesting to see the expression on the cop's face.

[xmas74]

45. did they call home?

Our officer would have called the house.

[Heywood J]

117. No. This was back in the days

when the teachers had actually met my family and interacted with them beyond simple pleasantries. I think I'm dating myself with that, though.

On the other hand, I can see how the officer might have been concerned.

[Kali]

22. Is that scam still in existence?

yes a joke - sort of

I always suspected the whole point was all about ratting out our own parents.

[xmas74]

46. I think there might be something to that.

From what I understand the officer was quite interested in talking about how I marinate my meat in beer sometimes and how I deglaze pans with wine, and then serve the meal to the family.

Stupid, isn't it?

[deaniac21]

23. It has been proven to be a joke over and over, yet they keep

getting funded. Nobody wants to be labeled as against cops and kids.

[xmas74]

47. I've been labeled as against cops

and I used to work for them.

I don't see where this program will do any good. They discussed a zero tolerance policy for bullying yet the same behavior was exhibited on the playground right after the class that day. I saw it.

[Drale]

24. I had DARE and in middle school they did one day called STAR

and during STAR they brought in former drugs and really tried to use shock tactics. I never would have tried drugs no matter what because thats the way I was raised so I don't know which program would be more effective.

[xmas74]

48. I had the Nancy Reagan special.

We were told to "Just Say No". I don't think any of us did.

[eShirl]

107. when I went to high school late 70s -early 80s, it was more like

"school is not an appropriate place to do drugs"
:rofl:

[xmas74]

113. By the mid eighties

that had changed, but the tobacco bit was much later. When I was in high school they didn't do anything about smoking. The only thing they did was tell the girls we couldn't smoke in the restroom, for fear of catching all the aerosol hairspray in the air on fire. (Eighties, big hair,excessive Aqua Net use in the girls room.)

I think yours was more fun but it still didn't stop us from sneaking around. We would light up behind the greenhouse, where everyone else went to have sex. We figured no one would rat us out back there, though the school would occasionally complain of empty Zig Zag packs.

And yes, we thought it was hilarious to take in a bit of green behind the greenhouse.

[Stuckinthebush]

25. It has worked well in our school district for years

Still is. The program is an education program about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. I'm pretty much ok with that.

I think it has had a nice long-term effect on my 8th grader actually. She is aware of peer pressure and discusses issues with her friends surrounding peer pressure. On the whole, I think the program was successful in that regard.

Also, my daughters have a mother is an alcoholic. Understanding what alcohol does to the system has been helpful to them.

My daughters got much more than the "Drugs are Bad" message. They learned about different drugs and how they affect you if you take them. I think this is valuable.

[xmas74]

50. I suspect that it's all about who teaches it

and how they teach it.

My town has a higher than average rate of drug usage, even though this program has been in the schools for many years.

[Stuckinthebush]

82. I'd 100% agree with that

Good point.

[Lars39]

26. My son told me years later that the DARE program taught him

the names of every drug available. He said, "If I was going to use drugs, now I know what to ask for". :eyes:

[xmas74]

51. That sounds about par for the course.

I've heard a few college age students joke about the same thing.

[Fozzledick]

27. It's a marketing program for the alcohol and tobacco companies that sponsor it

It's main effect is to encourage binge drinking.

[xmas74]

52. We live in a college town.

The last thing we need is additional encouragement for binge drinking.

[white_wolf]

28. I don't remember any really stupid stories like that, but I'll be honest

I was in DARE and it didn't stop me from drinking when I was 17ish, granted me and my friend were both smart enough to never drink and drive.

[xmas74]

54. I had to look up the tomato/nicotine thing

and found it, though the traces are so low as to be downright silly to even discuss.

It did cut down her ketsup consumption so that could be a positive.

[Gregorian]

29. Yes. It's concerned with symptoms not causes.

How about DARE to have a society where parents are educated on how to be social, and raise good children, and not have to work so much they can't be home with their kids, and have health care, and drive less and exercise more...

I was offended the first time I saw it. That had to be thirty years ago. Immediately I knew it was BS.


So what is it? Just say no? Just do it? Just a stupid catchphrase for a government program that is probably nothing more than another means of employing people and distributing revenue.

[xmas74]

55. I was less than pleased with the material.

I wish they would have at least let us review it before showing it to our children.

[Froward69]

30. A DARE Officer here was busted for child porn.

Another launched investigations into parents that opted their children OUT of the class.

more than once a child influenced by the DARE officer ratted out his/her own parents for weed. believing "everything will be better".
Well foster parents were not better, nor the molestation that occurred in one instance. Or as to how the child once removed from their parents goes on to abuse drugs fueled by the guilt of ratting out his/her parents.

DARE to rat on your parents has got to go.

[xmas74]

56. We were not given the option to "opt out".

My daughter came home from school one day and said they learned about tomatoes/nicotine at school. I said that I planned on calling the science teacher to discuss this and she said the DARE officer taught them that fact.

That's how I found out about DARE.

[The Midway Rebel]

31. I am familiar witht the DARE kids generation just below me.

I have had several of them in my band over the years. They frown on my pot smoking but have no problems being alcoholics.

[xmas74]

57. I live in a college town.

No one really cares about the pot smoking.

[The Midway Rebel]

79. Except maybe the cops, judges, lawyers and the schmucks pimpin' the

DARE program.

[Citizen Worker]

32. My problem with DARE was and is that it is a program that teaches community values by someone

wearing a badge and a gun.

[xmas74]

58. I'm just not impressed

with the program.

[krabigirl]

33. Uh, yes...it is a joke, and also a way for kids to rat out sick parents using medical cannabis.

[xmas74]

59. From the things my daughter has said

I could see them ratting their parents out.

[ecstatic]

34. It's useless. I think the commercials are the best deterrent

Even though I was a child at the time, I'll always remember the commercial that went, "This is your brain. (Shows a whole egg) This is your brain on drugs (Shows egg frying in the pan). Any questions?"

[xmas74]

60. I don't think even the commercials are a deterrent.

My friends and I actually taped those commercials many years ago and would light up while watching them. All they did was make us crave fried egg sandwiches.

[jmowreader]

106. Do you remember the parody T-shirt?

Panel 1 showed an egg: "This is your brain."

Panel 2 showed a fried egg: "This is your brain on drugs."

Panel 3 showed...well..."This is your brain on drugs with two slices of bacon and a side of toast."

[laylah]

35. My oldest (our very own Fizzgig)

won the first place prize for her essay submission in the 6th grade; HOWEVER, our younger one was kicked out for questioning why nicotine/alcohol(this was back in the 90's...it sounds like, according to the OP, nicotine has been added) were not being demonized, nor the medicinal benefits of marijuana being extolled. I was proud of my older, as a Mom is when one of her offshoots gets awarded something for her kiddo's good work; HOWEVER, I was even more proud that the younger one got kicked out for asking intelligent questions!

[xmas74]

66. They've also added bullying

to the list and now have the children question all prescription/OTC drugs their parents give them.

My daughter recently had to take a round of antibiotics. She asked the doctor if she had to do it, since the DARE officer said that all drugs are addictive. The doctor just rolled her eyes and said that she had to take it and the officer didn't know what he was talking about, since he only went to a three month academy and she went to school for years to be a doctor.

That was a fun conversation.

[Evoman]

49. Your kid should be afraid...I've heard that you don't know it's Tommaco until the first bite.

TOOO MMAAAA CCOOOOOOO

[xmas74]

68. I bet the ones out of my garden are

especially potent.

I'll post the results when they come in this summer.

[XemaSab]

98. Best. Simpsons. Episode. Ever.

:D

[Bluenorthwest]

53. No, jokes are good things.

Dare is not a good thing.

[xmas74]

69. Is it that bad?

I wondered if maybe it was just my messed up town.

[KamaAina]

61. Yes.

But I still don't get it.

[xmas74]

73. You're not the only one. nt

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

62. It all depends on the teacher

Just like anything else in school.

[xmas74]

75. Some of our officers, including the DARE,

are little wannabe Barney Fife's in training. I can see where it would depend on the officer.

[robdogbucky]

63. I only have anecdotal evidence to offer.

Like the person from Vegas upthread mentioned about a cop involved being bounced for using cannabis, my cousin, a civilian, not a cop, told me his adventures with DARE in Vegas.

He has a gambling problem and got a paying gig with DARE in Vegas in the 1980s to do presentations at schools. He told me that it was all about the money. They would take the merchandise, the T-shirts, pencils, bumperstickers, etc. to the presentations and then (I don't know if it was the individual schools that paid or what, or if it was directly from the kids) sell them for profit for DARE and commissions to the pitchmen. He said some weeks he made so much money it would fund his gambling addiction for the entire weekend (he would sit in the casinos and lose every penny) only to return to DARE presentations the next week to support his habit.

He never mentioned any of the officers involved getting bounced for drug use though, only that in his opinion the program ended up doing more harm than good as it was the same old misrepresentations about some drugs and not others, etc., which led the kids to believe they were being hosed again. My cousin had a drug history that was in his past when this all occurred in the 1980s.

I'm happy to say my cousin no longer gambles, no longer does any drugs and found a nice wife and has two beautiful kids now.

He is also a Wisconsin State employee and union member, so he has other fish to fry now.


Just my dos centavos


robdogbucky

[xmas74]

76. Why does that not surprise me?

My daughter has a tshirt, pencils, ink pens, rubber bracelets, and shoe strings that all have the DARE logo on them.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

64. What about the program is considered (at least by some) to be a "joke"?

My memories of the program are a little hazy- I remember being exposed to it in middle school. I've never used anything nor ever felt compelled/pressured to use. DARE wasn't the end all/be all of the education I received about drug use either, so I can't say that DARE played the biggest part in my choices not to use drugs and being in middle school, it wasn't the most fun thing to have sit through (not much was when I was that age if I can recall) but I don't know why people would think it not helpful and/or harmful. Now, the sex ed program and the videos we were exposed to OTOH. Those were pathetically stupid and unhelpful (and IMHO harmful :puke:) What kind of anti-drug program would people prefer to see? :shrug:

[xmas74]

70. I know that I would prefer an antidrug

program that actually teaches my child about the subject in an intelligent manner, instead of using scare tactics.

[jp11]

91. The basic idea that many if not all of the courses teach a 'just say no'

approach with an added emphasis on reporting classmates, teachers, parents, etc 'for their own good'. Depending on how strict the 'crimes' are this can be anything as dangerous as Jimmy calling the cops on Mommy for smoking a cigarette, antibiotics, drinking wine, etc. Basically it can create a situation where kids are 'narcing' on people without understanding exactly what/why they are doing it because 'a cop told them to'.

Then factor in that many, if not all kids, when taught these things young might agree or take the message to heart BUT once they get older and learn more and the 'truth' if likely lied to or kept from the truth then are much more likely to experiment etc. Look at it like teaching young kids about love and sex a good portion of them will think it is 'icky' or simply not have any interest in it, then wait several years and guess what many more if not all of them are suddenly interested. They aren't a perfect comparison but the idea is the same, what seems 'wrong' at one time in your very young life can seem less 'wrong' as you get older and supposedly wiser.

I'd add I can't recall if I actually had a DARE course or just a visit from DARE officer(S). But if I did it left very little of an impression on me other than 'drugs are bad' and the idea of 'reporting' people for misuses. The one thing I got out of the 'push' was to try and get my Dad to stop smoking cigarettes, help him not tear him down for it, BUT when I got to high school and really learned about drugs I was perfectly fine with trying some marijuana and perhaps some others. By the time I got to HS DARE meant nothing to me, the 'DARE to be different/just say no' message was a command with little reasoning behind it.


If DARE programs had more of what I learned in my HS health class, facts not commands/fear tactics, *I* think it would resonate more and have a better outcome or at least not end up being another 'lie' told to kids they discover in due time.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

116. I don't remember the program using "fear tactics" or urging reporting

but then again, I took this back somewhere between 1988-1990, so maybe the program has (d)evolved since then. I remember mostly discussing peer pressure. In regards to them using "fear tactics", well, using drugs can get people involved in some pretty scary situations. :shrug:

[KamaAina]

65. Who teaches DARE at that school? Sarah Palin?

The leaves of the tomato plant contain a substance similar to nicotine (same goes for potato plants). The fruit (yes, it is a fruit) does not. Neither do potatoes.

:dunce: :dunce: :dunce:

[xmas74]

71. Exactly.

Of course, it's going to take quite some time before this really sinks in, no matter how many times I've explained it.

SP is some sort of superhero around here. The idiots love her.

[sarge43]

94. Both in the nightshade family as are eggplant, sweet peppers and chili peppers.

It's the alkaloids in the leaves of nightshade related plants that can be dangerous, not the traces of nicotine.

[KamaAina]

67. Bet you can't guess who invented DARE

Daryl Gates. That's right, that Daryl Gates. :puke:

[xmas74]

72. UGH! nt

[robdogbucky]

92. Not Daryl Gates according to Wiki link provided up thread

"...DARE began its life in the UK in 1995 following 2 years of successful trials. It was made available to schools in Nottinghamshire and in the last academic year was delivered in 270 Primary schools. To operate on a more independent basis, DARE UK was established as a registered charity and along with its resources has undergone many changes to maintain its place within the world of education...

...Researchers at Indiana University, commissioned by Indiana school officials in 1992, found that those who completed the D.A.R.E. program subsequently had significantly higher rates of hallucinogenic drug use than those not exposed to the program.<24>

Studies that criticized the effectiveness of DARE:

1994 - National Institute of Justice
1995 - California Department of Education
1998 - National Institute of Justice
1999 - American Psychological Association
2001 - Surgeon General categorizes D.A.R.E. "Does Not Work"

In 2001, the Surgeon General of the United States, David Satcher M.D. Ph.D., placed the D.A.R.E. program in the category of "Does Not Work."<6> The U.S. General Accountability Office concluded in 2003 that the program was sometimes counterproductive in some populations, with those who graduate from D.A.R.E. later having higher rates of drug use (a boomerang effect).<38>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_Abuse_Resistance_Education



I don't see Daryl Gates being involved at all.



Just my dos centavos

[robdogbucky]

95. Maybe you're thinking of Nancy Reagan's similarly flawed

"Just Say No," campaign. She started that, and well, the Reagans were good friends from the old days, when he was chief and Ronnie was first our gov and then the prez. Daryl and Ronnie liked to hippie-punch as much as they could, so it makes perfect sense.

Interesting, I think the Just Say No followed DARE's lead in peddling slogan-slathered stuff to kids, just as DARE does.

Lots of money in drugs from all angles, rehabs, preventions, punishment, enforcement, etc.



Just my dos centavos


robdogbucky

[JI7]

74. if it's something we would laugh at as we got older it's probably not effective

i think we had something other than DARE but it was the same thing. and we got t shirts

[xmas74]

78. I never had a t shirt or anything.

All we had was an episode of Different Strokes we were expected to watch. That's it.

[TheKentuckian]

77. One of my fondest memories is of getting high as a kite after rehearsal for our D.A.R.E. production.

I also get a chuckle out of buying crazy chronic with my proceeds from fundraising for D.A.R.E.

Yeah, its almost a joke but its really a cry.

[Arkana]

80. YES.

My DARE officer got arrested himself for stealing CDs.

While in uniform.

Yep.

[MurrayDelph]

84. While there is some Belladonna in tomatoes

I think the "instructor" was confusing tomatoes with Tomacco.

[xmas74]

90. Supposedly there is a trace in the leaves of the tomato

plant. Of course we don't eat the leaves.

[RainDog]

88. I tried not to make fun of the program

even tho I thought it was stupid.

but my kids also knew their straight parents thought cannabis should be decriminalized. so we told them that not all drugs are created equally and they were at greater risk from alcohol than from cannabis - but that we didn't want them to use either of them when in school - but when they were older and legal, if they wanted to have a drink, they needed to do so responsibly. if they wanted to use cannabis - there were dangers to that b/c of the legal system, and we didn't want them to face those things.

they also know, b/c we live in a college town, that tons of students use cannabis and/or alcohol and go on to live successful lives - but some can't handle those things. Those who can't shouldn't use them and if they do, they need to seek medical treatment to help them stop if they have a problem. but that's not everyone.

they and their friends all thought the program was a joke by the time they got to high school. they weren't smoking or drinking but they had friends who did and they saw that the DARE program was lying to them.

[HopeHoops]

89. It has always been a joke. I also like the bumper sticker DAMM (Drunks Against Mad Mothers).

[October]

93. Yes.

My children became paranoid about my husband and I drinking coffee.

I found just talking to my children about drugs and our concerns with excessive alcohol use was more effective than the over-hyped D.A.R.E. progam.

[Politicalboi]

96. Tomacco?

LOL! Did they at least tell your kid that Tomatoes are a fruit?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

97. Yes, because it's not enough to "just say no"

Kids don't turn to drugs solely from peer pressure. They do it because they have no inner resources. They don't know who they are other than what the commercial "culture" tells them. They don't know what to do when they're bored or angry. They don't know how to handle a situation in which the "cool" kids reject them and only the drug users are welcoming.

They don't need a lecture. They need positive attention from their parents and/or other responsible adults. They need to have emotionally and intellectually enriching experiences beyond what the MSM provide. They need practice in being different and taking pride in being different. They need parents who don't go all hysterical if their child experiments a little.

And here's where some people will condemn me: If the parents drink alcohol responsibly, they need to teach their children to do so by letting them have a little wine on special occasions. If the parents smoke marijuana, they need to teach their children how to do so responsibly and safely.

[Solly Mack]

102. I get a lot of law enforcement/ high security SWAG and there is always D.A.R.E.

related items in one of the bags ...and always...without fail....everyone snickers. Everyone. Not a few. Not just some. Everyone.

[xmas74]

103. Why does this not surprise me? nt.

[JoeyT]

104. Calling it a joke is being kind.

My DARE brainwashing lasted all of about an hour: Just long enough for me to verify with someone that smoked pot that the entire section on pot was utter horseshit. Then I tried it to see who was lying. (Hint: It was the cop.) Of course pretty much everyone knew the section on marijuana was lies, and since it was obvious the cop was a bad source of information, no one took any of the rest of it seriously either.

I think any program that's based almost entirely on "Let's lie to the children for their own good! Sure they'll find out we're full of shit later, but if we brainwash hard enough it might stick!" to be completely worthless.

Later our DARE cop ended up getting busted for smoking crack because he was dumb enough to pull his car behind a local business to smoke it and they got the entire thing on video.

[eridani]

105. Why don't we have a program to warn preschoolers of the danger of sticking beans up their noses?

The anticipated results would be an epidemic of kids sticking beans up their noses because they wonder why the adults make such a big deal out of it.

[WinkyDink]

108. No stories. But it's just and solely another $$-making scheme, like NCLB.

[Dorian Gray]

109. Mmm...

Tomacco!

[astroBspacedog]

114. DARE--Drugs Are Real Expensive

Legal or illegal, --- it's true

[EstimatedProphet]

115. No, I don't think it's funny at all

You know what it reminds me of, most of all?

When I was in elementary school they used to talk about how children in Soviet Russia would turn in their parents on treason charges to get a pair of blue jeans as a reward. Apparently the reward here is $10,000.

[xmas74]

121. I remember the blue jean speech!

It has always stuck out in my mind, all the horrors of Soviet Russia. I never compared the two.

[LynneSin]

118. Wasn't that an episode of "The Simpsons"

Where everyone was growing these genetically altered tomatoes and it turns out the reason everyone loved them was because they had a high level of nicotine.

[hobbit709]

119. I would start my opinion at joke and go from there.

Tell lies that sooner or later get exposed as lies and then expect the kids to believe you on the rare occasion you tell the truth.

[Bucky]

120. As in Homer's tomacco? DARE's a nice message for 10-12 year olds, but once you hit high school...

it's not as effective as actual drug and health education.