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section four
what's right about D.A.R.E.?
Having a policeman or policewoman come into a classroom can be an effective way to teach important survival skills, such as traffic rules, and bicycle safely, and resisting predatory strangers. In recent years, newspapers have published several accounts where children credited D.A.R.E. with helping them thwart an improper approach by a stranger. Another benefit of D.A.R.E. is that it promotes a familiarity between police officers and children, teachers and school staff, facilitating both the role model and law enforcement function of the police officer. "Show me another program," remarked a D.A.R.E. officer, "where I can get to know every kid in this town, and something about the family, even if it's just where they live. THAT'S the great thing about D.A.R.E.." Having a D.A.R.E. program in the local school lifts the burden on teachers and administrators to provide drug education, and gives them additional time to do something else. It is popular with parents and the media because it conveys the idea that something is being done to combat the menace of drug abuse by children. D.A.R.E. is especially popular among the children themselves. Most D.A.R.E. officers are friendly, affable officers, and develop good rapport with the kids, who are charmed by tales of adventure in law enforcement. Police departments like D.A.R.E. because it provides additional revenue and a useful opporunity to engage in community relations. D.A.R.E. officers are frequently personable, attractive officers who make an excellent impression on fifth graders and present a positive image of police in general. Without a doubt, the program is hugely popular. Some see that as a measure of success.
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