Mahseredjian1

Mayda Mahseredjian
Professor Lawson
English 113A
10 December 2014
1,325

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 into the better. 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 a large amount of information will end up scaring them away and moving into a safer

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path. Some argue and state the organization has no effect on the older students and it is a waste
of time. 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 known 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 wellknown 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, nonpopular, 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 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 party a high school student attends, there is alcohol," writes Brady Ruebusch in Mountain

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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 difficult 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 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 rough time getting around in school and coming home to
all that drama wont make him or her approach their guardian with problems. Nonetheless,
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 period, but the D.A.R.E. program helped her.Im going to focus on my future.

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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 times 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.