The Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program known as DARE has become a widespread and popular program throughout the United States. The program appeals across ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic lines, and that is largely why the DARE program has grown exponentially. The basic premise of the program was to introduce kids to the dangers of drugs, before the drugs got to them. Implementing the DARE program seemed to be what America needed to start making a dent in the war on drugs. Uniformed trained officers who introduce the program to 5th and 6th graders teach the program. The officers inform them of the dangers of all drugs, from Tylenol to heroin. The program develops the relationship between officials, students and teachers, which is an additional incentive for the continuation and growth of the DARE program. The public also welcomed the DARE program with open arms. Teachers, principals, students, parents and officials firmly believe in the program. With all the accolades the DARE program has received, a three-year study was conducted to examine its effectiveness. However, the results gave us a very dismal perspective on the progress made with this program. The study conducted by the National Institute of Justice found that DARE increases children's self-esteem, sharpens their social skills and improves their attitudes toward the police. But the report also showed that DARE has no measurable effect on drug abuse. However, the American war on drugs has suffered a serious blow with this study. Students who participated in the DARE program were more likely to avoid drug use during the program and immediately after. However, the results showed that in the long term……half the paper……n still has a lot of room for growth. Over the past two decades we have seen many new drugs introduced into society. Which, in turn, makes the idea of ​​prevention a difficult topic. There is basically a "high" out there to fix almost any ailment you have. And we all suffer from different ailments. The only way I see to slow down the drug addict population is to start at an early age like the DARE program does, however, the program should continue after elementary school. I understand that you can only tell an individual about medications so many times before they lose their effectiveness. But a long-term program that builds a strong moral foundation and treats these young students as individuals rather than a mass entity would allow for a holistic approach to prevention. I believe this is what it will take for long-term prevention to begin in our society.