Drug Abuse Resistance Education, more commonly known as DARE, has received mixed reviews locally and nationally.

Personal, scientific views differ

DARE recently almost was cut from the Oklahoma City’s budget. The City Council kept it alive.

Ann Simank said she and other council members have received letters from teachers and principals telling them the program works.

“These people work with kids every day, and I have to take their word for it. ... When you see a result in any child — when they can make a difference in their life and stay off of drugs and alcohol and stick with their education —we’ve got to consider that,” Simank said.

But researchers nationwide have said the program is ineffective.

DARE has received low marks from the U.S. General Accountability Office and the U.S. Department of Education, which does not allow federal funds to be spent on the program.

And the last U.S. Surgeon General’s report on youth violence said the program does not work at deterring substance abuse.

“Evidence on the effects of the traditional DARE curriculum ... shows that children who participate are as likely to use drugs as those who do not participate,” according to the report.