DARE: Keeps kids turning in their parents.

[AFK]

There are really two different issues here, from my perspective. 

One is the DARE program itself.  And I do have to tell you that DARE really isn't the darling of the substance abuse prevention community anymore.  There are schools who still use DARE, but more and more, schools are turning to organizations like mine to provide programming that is evidence based and researched.  There have been studies that show DARE has some considerable issues.  And actually, I think DARE finally got the hint and from what I understand they are redeveloping their curriculum.

The other issue is this particular set of parents.  My hunch is there is more to this story than has been reported.  I'm personally aware of situations where DHHS knows parents are doing marijuana on a regular basis and they don't remove the kids.  (Not saying they should so let's not open that can of worms)  I suspect there are other things that caused social services to remove the kids and place them with other family.  I could be wrong, but it's just a hunch. 

[Cain]

I wondered about that second point myself, RWHN.  I mean, I don't know how social services there work, but I presume there would be a level of discretion over such things.

Still, pretty fucked up story.

[Dysfunctional Cunt]

I think it depends on where you are as to how Social Services views parental marajuana use. 

When we lived in Florida, I had tons of issues with DCF (Department of Children & Families) after their father's bullshit.  His brother tried to take the kids from me and when he couldn't do it through the proper legal channels he, my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law all started calling DCF regularly.  After 3 drug tests in one month, I refused to take another one.  They went to my kid's school and took my kids to the DCF office and basically held them hostage until I took the damn drug test.  I was told I would not get them back until I took the test and it was negative.  Well I got them back that day even thought the results weren't in for a few days.  Over the course of that year I took on average 3 tests a month.

I have never once doubted if I had tested positive at any time I would have lost the kids until I completed rehab and parenting classes.

[Adios]

I think it depends on where you are as to how Social Services views parental marajuana use. 

When we lived in Florida, I had tons of issues with DCF (Department of Children & Families) after their father's bullshit.  His brother tried to take the kids from me and when he couldn't do it through the proper legal channels he, my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law all started calling DCF regularly.  After 3 drug tests in one month, I refused to take another one.  They went to my kid's school and took my kids to the DCF office and basically held them hostage until I took the damn drug test.  I was told I would not get them back until I took the test and it was negative.  Well I got them back that day even thought the results weren't in for a few days.  Over the course of that year I took on average 3 tests a month.

I have never once doubted if I had tested positive at any time I would have lost the kids until I completed rehab and parenting classes.

You need a course on bomb making.

[AFK]

The really bad part about DARE is that it is run by police, specifically because of a scenario like this.  I've run tons of classes where kids tell me about how much pot their parents smoke.  With me, they have that confidentiality.  I have no power or authority to turn anyone in.  Unless, the kids is saying they are being sexually, emotionally, or physically abused, then I am required by law to report it.  Otherwise, it's like Vegas.  What happens in the drug class, stays in the drug class.  

[Triple Zero]

My hunch is there is more to this story than has been reported.  I'm personally aware of situations where DHHS knows parents are doing marijuana on a regular basis and they don't remove the kids.  (Not saying they should so let's not open that can of worms)  I suspect there are other things that caused social services to remove the kids and place them with other family.  I could be wrong, but it's just a hunch.

Isn't that a state-by-state thing in the USA? Like how you're more fucked if you are Hispanic and live in TX or AZ as opposed to (say) NY?

If that's how it works in Maine, then that's awesome. But how does it work in North Carolina?

(maybe I'm all wrong about this and it's a national thing, though)

You seriously missed your calling.

Well, to be fair he is already working for an education publishing agency ...

[Freeky]

What is wrong with DARE that most schools don't use it, RWHN?

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

What is wrong with DARE that most schools don't use it, RWHN?

I  think it's that it's made out of evil and pure totalitarian suck.

[AFK]

My hunch is there is more to this story than has been reported.  I'm personally aware of situations where DHHS knows parents are doing marijuana on a regular basis and they don't remove the kids.  (Not saying they should so let's not open that can of worms)  I suspect there are other things that caused social services to remove the kids and place them with other family.  I could be wrong, but it's just a hunch.

Isn't that a state-by-state thing in the USA? Like how you're more fucked if you are Hispanic and live in TX or AZ as opposed to (say) NY?

If that's how it works in Maine, then that's awesome. But how does it work in North Carolina?

(maybe I'm all wrong about this and it's a national thing, though)

Certainly, it could be very different in North Carolina.  Maybe they're a little quicker on the trigger for that sort of thing.  But I still suspect there is more to the story. 

[AFK]

What is wrong with DARE that most schools don't use it, RWHN?

There have been studies that show that DARE is completely ineffective when it comes to preventing substance abuse.  Indeed, there have been studies that have shown that kids exposed to DARE are more prone to experimenting with substances.  This is because the program ends up exposing kids to information they were unaware of.  A kid doesn't know anything about pots and joints.  He goes through DARE, maybe they actually pass a joint around to see what it looks like.  Now he's curious. 

The other reason schools are turning away from it is that the scant few resources out there for substance abuse prevention mandate that your programming is evidence-based.  Backed by research and proven to have measurable and positive outcomes.  DARE isn't evidence based.  So if a school wants DARE they have to pay for it with their own money and can't pay for it with state or federal grant money. 

While we're on the topic of things that don't work, you can add mock car-crashes and beer goggles.  They're great to create a spectacle and get your local news media to show up, but they are piss poor (I'm being charitable) when it comes to actually making a difference. 

[Freeky]

Oh yeah, I remember having had a joint  passed around in DARE (back when dirt was still kinda new), and I also remember beer goggles and the drunken driving simulators in the driving class offered at my school.

Good times.

[East Coast Hustle]

We had a week of DARE class when I was in High School. It was during the period right after my lunch period.

One day they brought a breathalyzer to class and had everyone blow into it so we could all see how it worked.

I failed the breathalyzer.

[Freeky]

We had a week of DARE class when I was in High School. It was during the period right after my lunch period.

One day they brought a breathalyzer to class and had everyone blow into it so we could all see how it worked.

I failed the breathalyzer.

ECH a winner ITT.

[Adios]

We had a week of DARE class when I was in High School. It was during the period right after my lunch period.

One day they brought a breathalyzer to class and had everyone blow into it so we could all see how it worked.

I failed the breathalyzer.

Only you.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

What is wrong with DARE that most schools don't use it, RWHN?

There have been studies that show that DARE is completely ineffective when it comes to preventing substance abuse.  Indeed, there have been studies that have shown that kids exposed to DARE are more prone to experimenting with substances.  This is because the program ends up exposing kids to information they were unaware of.  A kid doesn't know anything about pots and joints.  He goes through DARE, maybe they actually pass a joint around to see what it looks like.  Now he's curious. 

The other reason schools are turning away from it is that the scant few resources out there for substance abuse prevention mandate that your programming is evidence-based.  Backed by research and proven to have measurable and positive outcomes.  DARE isn't evidence based.  So if a school wants DARE they have to pay for it with their own money and can't pay for it with state or federal grant money. 

While we're on the topic of things that don't work, you can add mock car-crashes and beer goggles.  They're great to create a spectacle and get your local news media to show up, but they are piss poor (I'm being charitable) when it comes to actually making a difference. 

DARE pretty much only succeeds in making kids think that adults are stupid, and liars.