Good or bad for kids? D.A.R.E removes pot from curriculum
»Play Video
PORTLAND, Ore. – The drug education program D.A.R.E. has made some changes and has removed marijuana from its curriculum.
The decision has spurred strong opinions from both sides of the marijuana debate. Some people say D.A.R.E. was making children think marijuana was as bad as other drugs when they don't think it is. Others say it's a gateway drug that still has dangerous effects, especially on children.
Leslie Miller, an owner of a medical marijuana dispensary, emphasizes pot's benefits. But even she says it's not OK for children.
"It still needs to be treated respectfully as a psychoactive drug," she said.
So what message do kids get from hearing 'medical marijuana?' Or learning about Washington's new law legalizing marijuana for those 21 and older?
"I don't think they're going to get the message any more than they would with alcohol," Miller, the owner of the dispensary, said.
Tom Parker of Lines for Life, an Oregon nonprofit for suicide and substance abuse prevention, worries the new law brings more supply and therefore more underage use. He says prevention through education is the key.
"If marijuana has been taken out of the D.A.R.E. curriculum nationwide, I think it's a gaping hole," he said. "I think they have to talk about it. The idea behind any drug education program should be: know the facts."
Every city and school district differs when it comes to formal drug education for teens. Tigard police say they will use the new D.A.R.E curriculum starting next school year. It has less of a focus on marijuana and more of a focus on life and refusal skills. And it is more similar to the program, G.R.E.A.T., for gang resistance.
A spokesman for a group of Portland dispensaries, said in a statement:
"There is a new opportunity to have a very honest and straightforward conversation with our kids about cannabis after this election and I would prefer to do that with them rather than a law enforcement agent or a book printed from the propagandist at Drug Free America.”
But Lines for Life and even some in the medical marijuana industry agree that marijuana can have long-term, negative effects on children's brains.
"Our children need to be given accurate, truthful education on the drugs and on the dangers and benefits," said Miller.
The national D.A.R.E. organization says it didn't change the curriculum because of any legislation. In fact, it changed last year, although some schools are just now implementing it.
KATU News is expecting D.A.R.E. America to send it a formal response with more explanation and description about the change.
The real question is if D.A.R.E itself is an effective program - everything that I've seen points to no. Â When you were a kid, what did you think when an elder told you not to do something pleasurable based on intangible (to a young mind)Â reasons?
Â
All that will help kids stay off of drugs is to keep them involved in healthy activities like sports and hobbies, and present opportunities that allow them to grow personally and professionally given the chance and a little bit of initiative.
Dare is just police state indoctrination and fishing for "little johny told on his mom who likes a joint now and then" kind of busts.
DARE has been proven to be ineffective. I can't believe anyone is still using this program. In many studies of the outcomes of the DARE program, it was shown that it raised kids' curiosity to experiment with drugs. The whole program is/was one of those "feel good" programs that sound so great (Officer Friendly telling kids about how bad drugs are) but are totally ineffective.Â
This should be a moot issue since there is absolutely no evidence that DARE reduces the rate of drug usage in our society. Its only for political reasons that the program still exists. It is a waste of money and resources and ought to be eliminated.Â
 @peckishpeteÂ
Â
Yes! Why isn't DARE on the REPUBLICAN HIT LIST...they should de-fund that as useless education first before BIG BIRD.
Â
Dare is a bunch of crap to indoctrinate kids to the notion of Officer Friendly and get innocent. Cops have proven they are only on the side of cops and against the people they "serve".Â
Â
It is impossible to help kids by lying to them and that is why I'm against DARE.
 @peckishpete Actually, I came from the Nancy Reagan and Gary Coleman stage of DARE, and I can honestly say, that I've never touched the stuff, nor had the desire to.
The lie that Marijuana is soooo dangerous that it needs classification as a scheduled 1 drug is the most dangerous part of Marijuana because most kids try pot because its available and they can smoke it like a cigarette. Once these kids realize that MJ is nothing they may reason to a bad conclusion that other schedule 1 drugs like Methamphetamine are just as benign. Remember down the list of bad drugs at Schedule 2 are heroin and cocaine.
Â
The logic being that once they've tried the worst drug on Schedule 1, Marijuana, then working down the list is no problem. Of course, there are few people who believe that MJ is that bad so they realize that the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LIES....which is readily apparent....and PARENTS lie and that fact UNDERMINES credibility and undermines the ability of people with possibly the right intentions to effectively reach their target audience with a possibly valid message. When everybody is lying then kids are on their own to figure it out.
Â
It would be far better for the welfare of kids...who are not stupid and can spot a hypocrite in a nano-second....to simply be honest. Marijuana isn't going to kill you and it won't make you an addict but what it does do is to make a person feel like it is o.k. to be idle which is a dangerous thing for kids who should be out doing things and exploring the world and conceiving the next generation of children.
@Icarus Some corrections are in order here; Weed, and Heroin are Schedule 1, neither has any accepted (in the US) medical usage; Methamphetamine ahd Cocaine are both Schedule 2 because they both do have accepted medical uses. Everything else you have to say becomes questionable when your basic facts are incorrect. And we are on the same side of this issue.
 @MD20-20  @Icarus "Weed, and Heroin are Schedule 1, neither has any accepted (in the US) medical usage"
Well except for medical marijuana and prescription Oxy....but yeah other than that there is no accepted medical usage!
Â
"Everything else you have to say becomes questionable when your basic facts are incorrect."
Hi pot, this is the kettle!
@Icarus Thats how they were able to call it a gateway drug, they would clammer on about its "danger" and when credulous kids would try cannabis and realize its not harmful they would discredit anything mentioned further about other legitimately dangerous drugs. They purposefully deceived with the intent to create the scenario of which they needed for their argument.
Â
This is how they were able to pose the gateway scenario. Sneaks and Liars, the proponents of the "just say no" campaign should be held responsible for taking advantage of the credulous and misleading the public with fraudulent/anecdotal evidence at best.
 @OliverNicholas  @IcarusÂ
Â
So I understand that you're making the argument that the DEA made a thoughtful consideration to perpetuate a dangerous lie that would lead youth to using more harmful substances.Â
Â
Interesting.... I never really thought of it that way. History has always lead me to understand that Marijuana was demonized because it was associated with minority populations, Mexicans and Blacks, so it was just a racist thing and an easy way to keep minorities in check. Demonizing weed created a means for perpetuating racism by using weed and it use as a straw man for Black Culture.  In the 1960 when pot became popular with white suburban hippies it was the white establishment...the parents of those white kids....who forced a change in the punitive laws that mandated harsh criminal and jail sentences.Â
Â
The history of pot is just the history of the United States and the effort to control populations by harassment.  Consider any minority population in this country and there will be some aspect associated with that culture that has been effectively outlawed and demonized by the majority not because that thing was inherently bad but because it was a means to control that minority population. On the other hand; the inherent "thing" of the white American people a thing responsible for millions of deaths is protected and celebrated in this country as having "tamed the west" and has been consistently defended through time and, in fact, protected by the constitution.
Â
I'm not making an argument against the second amendment but I am making an argument against any kind of limitation or law that disproportionately limits the rights of a minority population to some cultural practice as inherently unequal and blatantly racist as long as the guns are protected. For instance; nun chucks are illegal in most states not because they are more dangerous than guns but because they are a "weapon" favored by Asian and unfamiliar to whites. Likewise, switch blade knives are outlawed because they were associated with Italian and Mexican cultures. Marijuana has gone mainstream and since, at least, the 1960's cannot be used as a straw man for minorities. However, there has been an attempt to perpetuate the use of MJ as a straw man for the "counter culture" or liberal elements of society who are vocal in their political opinion and demands for change.
Â
Reading all of the comments and agreeing with most. Although the general discussions seems to be around ''kids not using weed'' taught via DARE. Maybe DARE has decided that they should stop sending the message to children that their parents are drug addicts, if they partake in marijuana. If I remember correctly, didn't DARE ask kids if they knew anyone using the drugs they were discussing. I remember a Reynolds school that hosted DARE ending up with over half the class raising their hands. And then having the kids write who on a piece of paper and drop it in a basket. So perhaps it's time to remove the old Reefer Mania propaganda from the schools.
I think pot should be legal for those over 21, nation wide. And yes, I think D.A.R.E. should keep pot in their curriculum.Â
Â
Children should not use drugs for one reason alone: children's brains, under the age of 18, are still developing. Their bodies might be all grown up, but their brain is still developing, still growing. It isn't until about 19, 20 (around there, it changes from person to person), that the brain isn't fully settled and developed.Â
Â
Out of all the drugs, pot is one the more harmless ones (though it still has plenty of bad side affects). And it should be completely legal for those over 21. But children still need to be taught about drugs, what they do, and why you should wait to try certain drugs, and also, why, you should stay clear of certain drugs completely.Â
 @Keri AtkinsÂ
Â
Don't you find it amazing that less than a hundred years ago it was very common for people to become responsible parents at 15 years old and a woman was an old maid if she wasn't a mother by 25?  In fact, the average age of this country was 16 years old at the Revolution and didn't reach an average age of 25 until 1900.Â
Â
The point being is that this society, since the second World War, has done everything to prolong the period of childhood when, in fact, given the opportunity it is proven that people are quite able to achieve at any age and it is this period of prolonged childhood that does the greatest harm. Consider all of our great iconic success stories achieved at very early ages: Job, Einstein, Gates, ....make your own list.
Â
The big problem is that youth naturally tends overthrow the status quo...it is in their interest and a fact of biology....therefore, it is in the interest of the status quo and the elderly to perpetuate that period of powerlessness until the interests of youth, represented by an investment in the next generation, are aligned with the status quo. Â
@Keri Atkins We need to educated instead of using arguments from authority - "its bad because I say its bad" doesnt cut it. I agree that they should discuss Cannabis in D.A.R.E., I also think they should discuss alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and sugar. How these mentioned substances react in a developing brain - truthfully. Â
 @OliverNicholas  @Keri Much agreed. Anything that effects the body, such as narcotics, alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, etc... is a potential drug. I think educating children of the FACTS of how and why it effects their bodies and NOT the propaganda will serve as a better deterrent than simply telling them that it is bad. Let's face it, most of us that are told NOT to do something, will more than likely do it, if  for no other reason than we were told not to. Marking something taboo or telling someone that they cannot do something, will only pique interest in most people. However, being given facts of why it is unhealthy for our bodies and what it can do to our body, gives a person back their power of choice. Education is empowerment and every single one of us feel more secure in knowing that we are capable of making choices for ourselves and our bodies.
@Keri Atkins excellent points.
I feel it is the first step to destigmatized this wonderful plant. I also feel that it should be handled like a prescription drug instead of a schedule 1. I am so tired of the propaganda.
Any drug that kids can use to alter their mental status needs to be talked about. Not so much about using the drug but WHY to kids feel the need to alter their mental status. Is life so bad that they need to escape? Is that the world we are creating for our children? If so, then we need to change what we are doing?
Â
That being said, DARE had been shown over and over to be an utter failure and does nothing to curb drug use.
 @RalphCramden Ralph, you touch on a subject that I have always wondered about. Why do people feel the need for drugs? Many that may make them feel good while high, give them a serious letdown when they stop. Personally, I have no problem with reality and find it quite enjoyable. No need to escape, which everyone should be able to realize is only temporary at best.
 @Nobody  @RalphCramden There are varying degrees of being physically altered. Do you like coffee, sugar, energy drinks, alcohol, etc? How about hang gliding? Like that adrenaline rush? Did you ever turn in circles as a child, fall down and giggle? Deep meditation? Sleep deprivation? My point is, there's nothing written in stone that we should never alter our minds or bodies, in anyway.
@Lips @Nobody @RalphCramden Its human nature to alter our consciousness, thats why we love carnival rides as a kid. Altered states of consciousness allow us another perspective - whether it be in art, science or religion its a part of the human experience, and what we make of it is our choice.Â
Â
We fulfill what it means to be human, not limit our lives through fear and ignorance and miss our chance to experience a rich life.
Â
Â
 @Nobody  @RalphCramden All misconception. What would you rather have, kids smoking pot or bath salts? Yes. Its really come to that. Its an issue of harm reduction now. I'd like to see a heavier concentration on alcohol and tobacco since it causes more damage tot he body. I'm medical and I feel it should still be handled like a prescription drug. We tell the kiddos to keep out of our medications because they are not meant for them. Just like pot...
 @PlayanekesÂ
Â
Â
Careful...the pharmaceutical industry has a pill for everyone; and 90% of the population that has health insurance is on something.
@RalphCramden @Nobody @PDXBEAR "I have always considered people who feel the need to "get away" from reality on a regular basis as unstable". Zoloft users, for example, are crazy.
 @Nobody  @PDXBEARÂ
I have always considered people who feel the need to "get away" from reality on a regular basis as unstable. They seem to me to be generally high maintenance and needy.
Â
Those that go through life quietly and some would say lead a boring life just seem to be more stable.
Â
In 30 years of working on the streets I have seen a lot of stuff. Much of it is related to drugs and alcohol so that is my perspective. The people who gravitate to drugs try hard to justify the use of drugs for every little thing. It is classical addictive behavior.
Â
I have tried almost every drug there is out there in my very distant past. I was so high all the time that I would stop using drugs to get high on reality. One day I figured that doing drugs or alcohol was not for me and I stopped and never went back.
 @PDXBEAR  @Nobody  @RalphCramden While I do not disagree, I wonder why you post this as a response to me. It has nothing to do with my statements. But now that you mention the lack of damage from marijuana use, have you not seen the results of three independent studies that show marijuana use linked to a 300% to 400% increase in testicular cancer? But maybe that's good. It would limit the ability of pot users to reproduce.
Two real problems with the D.A.R.E. program: (1) It don't work; it's primarily an employment program for social workers and fat cops; and (2) it totally ignores the potential harm from alcohol and tobacco. That being the case, if it's not going to deal with the "legal" drugs, then it's probably time to move marijuana off the table as well.
I'd say educate them on the ill effects like alcohol, and if they still are persistent then arrest them as they are underage. At least with an education they can decide what they want to do.
I smoke marijuana.... There's nothing wrong in educating children about marijuana and the pitfalls it can create in their learning years. Honesty is the best policy. Parents warn their children of drinking underage and the same should go for marijuana. Get a clue!
 @Funky-Munky So, if I were to be educating your kids, what would you want me to tell them - both pro and con?
 More than likely my kids would already be educated by the time anyone else got around to it.@anon4444
@Funky-Munky excellent.
The DARE program has become like some sex education programs; they seem to just want to teach kids how to say 'no' but don't elaborate much on why in an honest, truthful way. I remember when DARE first began in the '80s, and it was a bit intimidating as a gradeschool kid to have cops in uniform talking to a classroom full of us kids. The message seemed to be 'just say NO so you don't get in trouble' not 'just say NO' with information that was relevant. And yes, back then they did talk about alcohol just as much as pot and cocaine. I didn't realize they don't so much now.
That's just messed up.
This comment has been deleted
 @HarryJuku I just remember Bozo the Clown coming to school to teach us to say ''please and thank you''.
 @HarryJuku Drug Abuse Resistance Education
 @HarryJuku The mascot is a lion named Derrin or Darren, or something like that. He didn't come along until years after the founding of the program, though.  The dog you are thinking of may be McGruff, the anti-crime dog, and I think we can probably ALL remember the 'This is your brain on drugs' scrambled egg commercial.
Â
Perhaps my memory is clear on these points because I never did pot. Word of warning, kids! And Washington D.A.R.E., you should be ashamed of yourselves for no longer offering kids important information on what is still a controlled substance! If there's some kind of pressure on you, then fight it. That's what you're trying to get the kids to do.
I remember when I went through D.A.R.E, back in the early 90s.  Back then, the police officers in my hometown (Longview, WA at the time) always made a point to cover things like alcohol and medication, and how they could be abused. In fact, they were and still are commonly abused. Legalization of a particular controlled substance doesn't mean it shouldn't be a part of the anti-drug abuse curriculum at all.
@ForeverMiyu none of the substances you mention have been "legalized" for children but when I was in high school I got Coke out of the vending machines every day at lunch, and between classes you could always find kids hanging out on the "smoking section" as long as they were over 15 or whatever.