I’ve read that they’ve actually found that students who have done the DARE program go on to use drugs at a higher rate than those who haven’t. I couldn’t say why that would be - maybe it’s like when the newspapers are suddenly full of stories about some new drug craze that’s sweeping the nation, which prompts lots of people to go out and try it themselves (ice, crystal meth, jimson weed, datura, savlia, etc, etc)
My guess: because when programs like DARE inflate the risks of some drugs and tell kids that even one marijuana cigarette or one drink turns you into a raving lunatic, when the kid finds out that you lied, they wonder what other things you lied about and dismiss everything you ever said about the subject.
I think telling children the truth - and the truth is complicated - is the very best option. The truth is that some people will become addicts and some won’t, but you don’t know which you will be and either way, you have too many good things to do with your life to do drugs or drink your life away.
The truth - it works.
Ever seen the movie “Reefer Madness”? If you can laugh at the messenger, the message never gets through.
For the record, I do not do drugs, nor do I smoke. I did have a glass of wine with dinner last month, so I do drink occasionally.