Mahseredjian1

Mayda Mahseredjian
Professor Lawson
English 113A
26 November 2014
1253
D.A.R.E.
What and why is the first thought that one thinks when hearing a child is addicted to
drugs. Starting from such a young age many kids are involved in horrible life experiences; whether
they are pressured into doing something or just out of curiosity. Most of the time, this is where the
abuse of drugs and alcohol come in play. Even if the child is in middle school or high school, their
minds are newly adapting. Therefore, they are curious in the substance and wouldn't mind trying
anything. Nowadays, there are many programs that help students and children through this tough
time. One of them being a non-profit organization called D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance
Education). It helps prevent children from falling into the wrong path and guides them to a better
one. Because the youth go through a difficult stage, they often tend to look towards drug and
alcohol as the answer. Luckily, the. D.A.R.E. organization helps those in need by informing them
of repercussions, teaching them how to handle temptation and pressure, and being more
comfortable around authority figures.
As parents, teachers, and as friends we try as much as we can to help out those who are
addicted to drugs and alcohol. We pay close attention to every person in need, but more to the
minorities because they are unaware of the circumstances. This organization is dedicated to show
the students the consequences for abusing substances. Whether it is drugs or alcohol, both have
negative effects on people, especially ones who have started at a young age. Giving these students

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a large amount of information will end up scaring them away and moving into a better direction.
Some argue and state the organization has no effect on the older students and it is a waste of time.
According to Sherwood, A survey of D.A.R.E. by the California Department of Education found
that 40% of students told researchers they were "not at all" influenced by D.A.R.E., and nearly
70% reported neutral to negative feelings about those leading the program (Sherwood). However,
D.A.R.E. program is to be scientifically proven to progress four different student outcomes:
alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use; anti-substance use attitudes; normative beliefs about
substance use; and substance use resistance. Wouldnt you want your child to obtain a very
well-known successfully working program? One of the interesting facts about this organization is
that they give a lasting explanation about drugs using fun activities instead of boring lectures.
Hence, it reminds them not only of the game and why they participated in it, but also the meaning
behind it all.
Middle school and high school are the years where you are considered popular,
non-popular, or just normal. Every school is different therefore everyone is treated differently, but
they all have the same idea as to who fits in where. Wanting to be apart the cool kids might end up
costing a students life. Because they are so young and naive, they will try anything and end up
putting their bodies in danger without even noticing. Teenagers worldwide have started abusing
drugs for numerous common reasons: popularity, peer pressure, family violence, temptation, etc.
In some cases the child is alone without any friends or family to look to; therefore, it is hard for the
child to adapt from the dilemma without any guidance. Being tempted into abusing drugs or
alcohol is a major issue for middle school and high school students. A special program organized
by the D.A.R.E. team reaches out to kids not only by educating them to refuse drugs and alcohol,
but also showing them that one does not need to harm their body in order to fit in. "At almost every

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party a high school student attends, there is alcohol," writes Brady Ruebusch in Mountain View
Voice, "many students drink at these parties because they don't want to feel left out. ...". If we
anonymously attend a high school party, we will see many teens chanting to their friend to finish
the alcohol in one sip. Then we will see an unpopular boy or girl sitting quietly enjoying the party.
Lets say he or she starts drinking and not just one shot, but four and ends up drunk. Without a
doubt, this teen at the party will no longer be known as the quiet one at school-alcohol made him fit
in,-but the one who is now just the same as any other teen at a party. Coming from personal
experience, I have had tough situations where my so called "friends" had put me in, but my family
members helped me through it. If a child has neither, D.A.R.E. provides the aid.
Peer pressure is also one of the main issues the students face in their school years, some can
handle the situation, but others cant. Who will those kids look up to? Family? What if the family is
having their own problems and the last thing they want to worry about is his son or daughter being
pressured at school. Sounds ridiculous, but its true. D.A.R.E. gives the students an opportunity to
learn the ways of turning down those who influence or pressure them into abusing substances or
even be a part of a gang affiliated violence. Some may not want the help from this program
because of fear of judgment, but as long as D.A.R.E. does its part, the student will benefit from it
sooner or later.
In some cases it might not even be the parents fault, the child wont feel safe enough to talk
to his or her parents. Many students have drug addict parents or alcoholics, or even physical
abusers. The child is already having a tough time getting around in school and coming home to all
that drama wont make him or her approach their guardian with problems. However, D.A.R.E.
steps in and adds a sense of comfort, but also security to the child. For instance a six grade student
named Arianna Espinoza witnessed her father abuse drugs and was struggling through that time

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period, but the D.A.R.E. program helped her.Im going to focus on my future. Im going to
become a soldier with pride and dignity. Im going to have courage (Scroggin). Seeing her
positive outcome adds a smile onto the teams face and shows her peers that if they need help,
D.A.R.E. is the answer. By the end of the program, the child will feel comfortable to approach
their parents and the school principle.
A child goes through many tough time during this time of age. Boys want to fit in and be
the coolest guy ever who gets all the girls. Girls, just like boys, want to fit in as well as wanting to
be pretty for all the boys. And then there are some who just do not care. Its normal for a youngster
to experience these situations but sometimes they can step out of line. Damaging their own bodies,
which that is still developing, will cause major issues in the future without even knowing it. We
should acknowledge how powerful D.A.R.E. has grown and how it is helping not hundreds, but
thousands of students worldwide. Having this program guide the students into the better is a large
amount of help that not all parents can do. Majority of them will not be effected by this program,
but no matter what the cause is, there will always be a way out. The way I see it is that as long as it
benefited at least one child, it is effective.

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Works Cited
Scroggin Yale Samantha, D.A.R.E. graduates learn from personal experience, education. Santa
Maria Times. 9 June 2013. Web. 18 November 2014.

Julie Sherwood, "The DARE Debate," Daily Messenger, Aug. 10, 2008. 17. November 2014.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, "Keepin' It Real,"

nrepp.samhsa.gov (accessed Sep. 17, 2013) 17.November.2014

"Introduction to Alcohol Abuse: At Issue." Alcohol Abuse. Ed. Ronnie D. Lankford. Detroit:
Greenhaven Press, 2008. At Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 25 Nov. 2014.