Evaluation of Honolulu Police Department's Drug Abuse Resistance Education Project

• NCJ Number: 108711
• Author(s): M J Manos; K Y Kameoka; J H Tanji
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 41 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Hawaii at Manoa
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Report No. 329

Annotation

An evaluation was conducted of the Honolulu Police Department Community Relation's Office Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) project.

Abstract

DARE is an educational program taught by uniformed officers in the schools that focuses on decisionmaking and problemsolving skills, trains students to resist peer pressure, and suggests positive alternatives to drug and alcohol use through didactic, role-playing, and interactive teaching methods. During 1985, 1,777 fifth grade children participated in the program. A pretest/posttest control group design used five evaluation instruments: the Children's Assertiveness Behavior Scale, DARE Questionnaire, a Risk-and-Result vignette, and teacher and student surveys. While results were not definitive, there was support favoring the program's preventive potential. The program was educational, providing students with skills and information they could and did use in various situations. Participants found the program enjoyable and actively engaged with police officers in a positive, constructive learning environment. Overall, results suggest that DARE provides children with information and skills that maximize their potential for adopting healthful, drug-free habits. Supplemental project and research materials are appended. 5 tables and 1 reference. (Author abstract modified)