D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)
D.A.R.E. tried to teach kids to “just say no” and it failed. Surprise! Abolitionist approaches to drug use aren’t effective. And let’s face it, deciding to do drugs is a more complex decision than resistance training can prepare us for.
The harm reduction model acknowledges that some youth are going to do drugs. And when they do, harm reduction teaches them how to be safer about it. Equipping youth to make informed decisions about drug use (Read: treating them like critically-minded human beings not “just say no” drones) actually works.
Who knew that teaching kids about drug use doesn’t make them text their closest dealer? Oh wait, we did. Just like how teaching sex ed isn’t causing a sex cyclone across Canada.
And all of this rant just because I want to buy this t-shirt and wear it ironically. Yes, I’m an academic hipster.
