Project DARE: no effects at 10-year follow-up.
The present study examined the impact of Project DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), a widespread drug-prevention program, 10 years after administration. A total of 1,002 individuals who in 6th grade had either received DARE or a standard drug-education curriculum, were reevaluated at age 20. Few differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of actual drug use, drug attitudes, or self-esteem, and in no case did the DARE group have a more successful outcome than the comparison group. Possible reasons why DARE remains so popular, despite the lack of documented efficacy, are offered.
Lynam
D R
DR
Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40506, USA. DLYNA1@POP.UKY.EDU
Milich
R
R
Zimmerman
R
R
Novak
S P
SP
Logan
T K
TK
Martin
C
C
Leukefeld
C
C
Clayton
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome