Wanted: Strong, adult role models

Jennifer Raley
Cumberland Times-News

Sat, May 17 2008

— CUMBERLAND - Drug Abuse Resistance Education is a worthwhile, effective program with a powerful message, but a program alone cannot stop kids from making poor choices, according to Lorelee Farrell, director of health and family life at the Allegany County Board of Education.
"Is DARE effective? Yes. It does what it is supposed to do, but it cannot work alone - parents play a major role in preparing children to make good choices," Farrell said. "Parents have to provide them with the street signs and road maps that will prevent them from taking a wrong turn on the road of life. Children need to be told repeatedly that they are important and that we don't want them to ruin their lives by participating in high-risk behaviors."
The DARE program's message is more than "Just say no," Farrell said. The major component is decision-making. The 10-day program is taught to all fifth- and seventh-grade students in Allegany County.
The students need strong, adult role models who set boundaries and teach them about the importance of making wise choices and the consequences that accompany poor decisions, said Farrell.
Kids try drugs today for the same reasons they did 30 years ago, Farrell said.
"It's not rocket science - kids try drugs because other kids encourage them to do so; they try drugs out of curiosity; they do drugs to try to get away from the things that worry them or upset them - all those reasons lead to disaster," said Farrell.
"One of the things that makes the program so successful is how the material is delivered," said state DARE coordinator Claude Nelson. "I know all the officers in Allegany County teach DARE because they truly care about the kids and the choices they make, and the kids can see that."
Farrell, Nelson and others involved with DARE are awaiting the results of a study on the effectiveness. The study is important for obtaining funding for the program.
The DARE workbooks always were funded through federal Safe and Drug-free grants, which the state allowed local boards to use by completing a waiver, but as the availability of grant money decreased, the state stopped allowing waivers. Nelson and Farrell are hopeful that when the study is complete, DARE will be added to a list of federal programs, and a waiver will not be needed.
"DARE is a research-based program," said Nelson.
With almost 1,400 fifth- and seventh-graders in the county, purchasing the workbooks would cost around $1,500.
Last year Farrell was able to obtain the books through Nelson, who is exploring funding sources for this year's books.
"I'm pretty sure I'll be able to work something out for the whole state next year," Nelson said.
The workbooks are an essential component of the program, according to Cpl. Jim Hott, a school resource officer and DARE instructor.
Contact Jennifer Raley at jraley@times-news.com.