Research on Prevention: What Really Works?

D.A.R.E. to Work: The Failure of American Drug Prevention Programs

It would be nice if it worked--but it doesn't! In spite of broad public support for the harem-scarem approach to drug abuse prevention, two recent studies demonstrate that the school-wide program simply doesn't keep kids off drugs. However, parents, the schools, and even President Clinton liked the program --a fact which virtually guarantees that it will continue to make up the anti-drug/drug prevention curriculum of most public schools.

Sadly, other effective alternatives exist. In contrast to the DARE education and drug resistance approach, research suggests that psychosocial skills programs offer kids best chances of staying away from drugs. Such approaches teach kids the risk factors for drug abuse as well as practical skills for dealing with feelings of alienation and anxiety and improving self-esteem and assertiveness.

Murray, B. (September, 1997). Why aren't anti-drug programs working. APA Monitor, 28(9), 30. Health Education and Behavior (1997), 24(2), 165-176. American Journal of Public Health (1994), 84(9), 1394-1401.

Note: This corresponds with the research on how to influence people to change and grow in counseling. Make sure your program adds caring relationships, modeling, social support and practice to the curriculum so people can learn how to DO what you are teaching. This is one of the reasons that church ministries are so much more effective than other types of interventions. (See the paper on Marriage and Religion @ www.garysweeten.com )

Attempts to prevent problems in any group are always dependent upon teaching the people in the group why and how to resist the temptations of bad habits. This goes for smoking, alcohol, divorce, abuse, sexual promiscuity and suicide. Read my book, Hope and Change for Humpty Dumpty for more about how to influence others to change.

The programs that work always show a lot of Genuine Respect, Empathy and Warmth for the students. Lectures alone, especially those that seem "parental" or "personally condemning" are rarely effective.

Remember, the First of two workshops is this Saturday at 8:30 AM at Love and Faith Center off Beechmont Avenue on Hopper Hill Road.