U.S. Surgeon General labels D.A.R.E. teen drug program ineffective

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, introduced in 1983, became a staple of U.S. elementary and middle school drug‑prevention curricula, relying on police officers delivering a "Just Say No" message.

A ten‑year longitudinal study by the American Psychological Association found no statistically significant differences in drug use, attitudes, or self‑esteem between students who received D.A.R.E. instruction and those who received standard health education. In 2001 the U.S. Surgeon General formally classified the program as an “Ineffective Primary Prevention Program.” A 2003 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office reached the same conclusion, noting no measurable impact on illicit drug use.

Public‑health experts argue that the abstinence‑only, fear‑based model fails to address the complex social realities of adolescence and recommend shifting to evidence‑based, dialogue‑focused drug education strategies.