Project D.A.R.E. outcome effectiveness revisited.
OBJECTIVE
We provide an updated meta-analysis on the effectiveness of Project D.A.R.E. in preventing alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use among school-aged youths.


METHODS
We used meta-analytic techniques to create an overall effect size for D.A.R.E. outcome evaluations reported in scientific journals.


RESULTS
The overall weighted effect size for the included D.A.R.E. studies was extremely small (correlation coefficient = 0.011; Cohen d = 0.023; 95% confidence interval = -0.04, 0.08) and nonsignificant (z = 0.73, NS).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study supports previous findings indicating that D.A.R.E. is ineffective.
West
Steven L
SL
Department of Rehabilitation Counseling, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1112 East Clay St, Box 980330, Richmond, VA 23298-0330, USA. slwest2@vcu.edu
O'Neal
Keri K
KK
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States