Question

analyzing the role of the community

the d.a.r.e. program (\drug abuse resistance education\) began in 1983. in this program, police officers taught special 45-minute lessons in classrooms about the dangers of drugs. however, the program was shown to have very little effect; there was only a small, short-term reduction in tobacco use, but no reduction in alcohol or marijuana use. long-term rates of teen substance abuse did not change significantly.

in 2008, behavioral scientists began looking for different ways to teach this program. the new d.a.r.e. curriculum is called \keepin it real,\ and students spend most of their time practicing refusal strategies with friends rather than being lectured on the possible effects of drugs. the
eal\ acronym stands for the four main strategies the students practice: refuse, explain, avoid, and leave. there is also much more emphasis on teaching students how to make safe and responsible decisions in all areas of life.

based on the excerpt, which statement is true?

• antidrug campaigns have little effect on how much students use drugs.
• lots of students use tobacco, but very few use alcohol or marijuana.
• antidrug campaigns can help prevent substance abuse, but cannot reduce it.
• practicing refusal strategies can help students stay sober.

Explanation:

Analyze the text excerpt

The text discusses the D.A.R.E. program. The original program had "very little effect" with only a "small, short-term reduction in tobacco use, but no reduction in alcohol or marijuana use." In 2008, a new curriculum called "keepin' it REAL" was introduced. In this new program, "students spend most of their time practicing refusal strategies with friends rather than being lectured on the possible effects of drugs." The acronym "REAL" stands for Refuse, Explain, Avoid, and Leave.

Evaluate the first option

The first option states: "Antidrug campaigns have little effect on how much students use drugs." While the text states the original D.A.R.E. program had very little effect, it does not make a broad, definitive statement that all antidrug campaigns in general have little effect, especially since a new curriculum was designed to improve outcomes.

Evaluate the second option

The second option states: "Lots of students use tobacco, but very few use alcohol or marijuana." The text only mentions a "small, short-term reduction in tobacco use, but no reduction in alcohol or marijuana use." It does not provide statistics on how many students actually use these substances.

Evaluate the third option

The third option states: "Antidrug campaigns can help prevent substance abuse, but cannot reduce it." The text does not support this distinction between prevention and reduction.

Evaluate the fourth option

The fourth option states: "Practicing refusal strategies can help students stay sober." The text explains that the new, improved curriculum focuses on students practicing "refusal strategies with friends" (Refuse, Explain, Avoid, Leave) to make safe and responsible decisions, which directly supports the idea that practicing these strategies is a key method to help students stay sober.

Answer:

• (A) Antidrug campaigns have little effect on how much students use drugs.
• (B) Lots of students use tobacco, but very few use alcohol or marijuana.
• (C) Antidrug campaigns can help prevent substance abuse, but cannot reduce it.
• (D) Practicing refusal strategies can help students stay sober. (Correct answer)