3,150 11th grade students participated in the survey; some had participated in the D.A.R.E. programme at elementary, junior and senior high school levels. 11th grade students were selected as the study population because they were old enough to have been confronted with opportunities to use alcohol, marijuana and hard drugs. This study found that D.A.R.E. did influence students attitudes and behaviours about substance abuse. The differences reported here were all statistically significant, and in a positive direction. All in all D.A.R.E. reduced substance use, increased peer resistance, encouraged communication with parents and other responsible adults, and increased positive views of the police.

J. Donnermeyer PhD and G. H. Phillips PhD, Ohio University.