I do not question the sincerity or intent of people involved in the DARE program. ("School resource officers felled by state budget ax," June 14.) Nor do I question their desire to prevent drug and alcohol abuse among youth. Nonetheless, there is a significant problem with DARE.



Evidence and research indicate, in the words of one study, that DARE "has a limited to nonexistent effect" on drug use. The General Accounting Office, U.S. surgeon general, National Institute of Justice, Department of Education and American Psychological Association conclude that DARE is ineffective.



A 2009 study of a new DARE curriculum, "Take charge of Your Life," involving 20,000 seventh-graders, concluded: "Far from being a success, the program is actually counterproductive." That from University of Akron researchers who designed the program.



Even on DARE's website, so-called research in support of DARE's effectiveness is primarily testimonials from DARE personnel and police and anecdotal evidence, not objective research. One "study" stated DARE is a success because it improved the image of police. That's what DARE is for? DARE money improves the police image?



A more accurate headline for the article, had The Day researched DARE's "success," would have been "School resource officers and DARE programs felled by facts."

