Department of Public Safety - Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program

Despite D.A.R.E.’s popularity and widespread use, over a decade of research has failed to show the program’s most widely used component, the core curriculum, has any lasting impact on preventing or reducing substance abuse behavior among youth.  Although D.A.R.E. proponents discount the research, and cite several other potential program benefits, such as strong public support, and enhanced police and community relations, some communities are replacing D.A.R.E. with other prevention programs. Given questions concerning D.A.R.E.’s effectiveness and emerging research on the positive impacts of other prevention programs, the Department should work with the Arizona Drug and Gang Policy Council to determine if it should continue its involvement with the D.A.R.E. program.