Preventing Substance Abuse Among Schoolchildren And Help Them Develop Effective Gang And Violence Resistance Techniques

Adolescence is a time where adolescents grow and mature at a rapid rate. It is also a time where adolescents are more vulnerable to taking risks, such as using and becoming addicted to illegal substances, due to raging hormones. Whether or not an adolescent chooses to engage in drug use and abuse depends on their home environment and those they choose to associate themselves with. Adolescents are confronted with an enormous amount of pressure to participate in risky behaviors by their peers. According to Broderick and Blewitt (2015), “risky behaviors are behaviors that constitute a departure from socially accepted norms or behaviors that pose a threat to the well-being of individuals or groups” (p. 389). One such risky behavior is drug use and addiction. Some adolescents use cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs in order to get “high”. Adolescents who engage in drug use are likely to become addicted, and thus, their addiction will negatively affect their brain development.

Children, starting as early as elementary school, are being educated on substance abuse. As of 2013, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, D.A.R.E., administers a school-based substance abuse, gang, and violence prevention program in 75 percent of the United States school districts. Since 1983, 70,000 police officers have taught the D.A.R.E. program to approximately 114 million elementary through high school students in the United States alone ("Is the D.A.R.E. Program Good for America's Kids K-12?"). This program is aimed at preventing drug use in elementary, middle, and high school students. A needle-exchange program implicitly encourages the exact opposite message, condoning immoral and illicit behavior. Governments should focus on discouraging drug use, providing more productive treatment for recovery, and punishing drug users instead of supplying the materials to continue their addiction. Young children have the potential to take more risks and must receive a clear message on drugs, which should coincide with the no tolerance policy they are being taught in school with implementation of the D.A.R.E. program. A needle-exchange program is more of a hopeful harm reduction campaign that sends the wrong message to young children and society as a whole. If there is to be a positive change in America regarding intravenous drug use, then the government and school programs all need to be on the same page; we

Many think the program D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) which was created in order to have a long term effect for drug abuse prevention actually works. But does it actually help prevent kids from using drugs? Solid evidence shows that the program doesn’t work.

America is wasting money on campaigns that don’t work. D.A.R.E, a program that goes to schools in America, hasn’t made any more progress than giving five dollars to a psychopath murderer. (Vance 1) D.A.R.E. is a program that schools use to explain what drugs do to you, and how they affect your life. A national survey on Drug Use and Health led made by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services says; “Drug

Drug Abuse Resistance Education programs are the most widely used drug education programs targeted towards elementary children in the United States. Since the 1980’s over a million children across the United States have been introduced to the D.A.R.E’ program. The program began implementing there curriculum into school system to educate children on drugs and gangs. The common goal for this program is to deter students from the hard life of drugs and gangs and help them steer on the right path.

One may be astonished to discover that in 2012 “..about 17 percent of American high school students were drinking, smoking or using drugs during the school day” and this number has remained relatively stagnant throughout the years (Kuczynski-Brown). The amount of students who take part in the illegal acts of drinking, smoking, and drug use has been difficult to combat. Students do not understand that these substances can result in harmful consequences down the road. This is why it is imperative that, as a society, we begin looking for solutions to defeat these harmful habits, and sometimes, addictions. The earlier we begin to inculcate the effects of these substances on the young, the better. That is why the prime-time to spread this message

So for those of you who don’t know about the program, it’s a program that goes around schools presenting the phrase D.A.R.E. D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. According to D.A.R.E., it teaches effective peer resistance and refusal skills so that adolescents can say “no” to drugs and their friends who may want them to use drugs (D.A.R.E. America). So basically it provides children with the information and skills they need to live a drug and violence free lives. Most people would agree that D.A.R.E. is an effective program for all ages, but studies have shown that in the long run, the D.A.R.E. program does not help prevent or reduce the use of illicit drugs in elementary, middle, or high school students.

The article presents a study over the perceptions that youth have regarding relapse that are involved in treatment. A major prevention and treatment issue in the United States includes youth substance abuse for those under the age of 25 (Gonzales, Anglin, Beattie, Ong, & Glik, 2012). Statistics reveal 70% of youth mortality such as homicide, suicide or unintended injuries are attributed to substance use behavior (Gonzales, Anglin, Beattie, Ong, & Glik, 2012). The goals regarding youth substance use has been to interrupt the drug use in treatment settings, however the treatment diminish over time creating a large concern for relapse. Negative emotional

Prescription drug abuse has become an epidemic across the United States, destroying and affecting many lives of young Americans. Why do so many people abuse prescription drugs? Many think that prescription drugs are safer and less addictive than “street drugs.” After all, these are drugs that moms, dads, and even kid brothers and sisters use. The dangers are not easily seen, but the future of America’s youth will soon be in severe danger if the problem is not addressed. It will continue to get worse if action is not taken soon. Prescription drugs are only safe for the individuals who actually have prescriptions for them because a doctor has examined these people and prescribed the

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program known as D.A.R.E has become a very widespread and popular program throughout the United States. The program appeals to all ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic lines, which is a large part of the reason why the DARE program has grown exponentially. The program’s basic premise was meant to introduce kids to the danger of drugs, before the drugs got to them. The implementation of the DARE program appeared to be what America needed to begin to put a dent in the war on drugs.

When i was in an eight week D.A.R.E program it taught me a lot about how to be safe when pressured and avoiding bad situations. If you don’t know what D.A.R.E stands for it stands for Drug, Abuse, Resistance, Education. I’m going to give you three topics on the D.A.R.E program. In my first topic i’m going to talk about alcohol. In my second paragraph i’m going to tell you about tobacco. In my third and final paragraph i’m going to tell you a little bit about peer pressure

The D.A.R.E. program was founded in 1983 by Los Angeles police chief Daryl Gates and the Los Angeles Unified School District, and it stands for “Drug Abuse Resistance Education.” As of today, it is a K-12 education program that teaches students about drug prevention, violence, gang membership, bullying, and internet safety in the United States as well as 52 other countries. As an international nonprofit organization, it is also one of the most prevalent drug abuse prevention programs in the United States and allegedly the world. Curriculum consists of elements such as resistance, self-esteem and skills training, and workbooks. All of the D.A.R.E. classes and curriculum are taught by trained police officers.

Benavente (2006) writes, “After-school program participation also helps to keep youth from skipping school and experimenting with alcohol, drugs and sexual activity”(pg. 1). Some children just need a role model or guidance in the right directions. Parents who are neglectful toward their children leave them at risk for major negative influences. However, a child’s life can change by just reading, hearing, or meeting someone with inspirational words. Adults and environments have powerful influences on young adolescent minds.

It has been discovered that most people who struggle with drug addiction began experimenting with drugs in their teens. Teenage drug abuse is one of the largest problems in society today and the problem grows and larger every year. Drugs are a pervasive force in our culture today. To expect kids not to be influenced by the culture of their time is as unrealistic as believing in the tooth fairy (Bauman 140). Teens may feel pressured by their friends to try drugs, they may have easy access to drugs, they may use drugs to rebel against their family or society, or they may take an illegal drug because they are curious about it or the pleasure that it gives them.

Studies found as many as one-half of all homicide perpetrators and victims had been drinking, and a large proportion of violence occurs in places where alcohol is consumed. (Lowry) This phenomenon may be linked to psychoactive effects of alcohol. In addition to pharmaceutical effects of drugs, interpersonal violence may result from economically motivated crimes to support drug use and activities related to the supply and distribution of illegal drugs. (Lowry) Tobacco use amongst adolescents has also been associated with interpersonal violence and delinquency as part of a syndrome of problem behaviors that includes illicit drug use, early sexual intercourse, and school dropout.” (Lowry). Not only is it related to violence, it is a compounding problem in itself. It has been reported that “12- to 17-year-olds at drug- and gang-free schools, those reporting drugs and gangs at their school were nearly 12 times more likely to have used tobacco (23% vs. 2%), three times more likely to have used alcohol (39% vs. 12%), and five times more likely to have used marijuana (21% vs. 4%), according to the report.” (Mahoney)