Grants

Improving the use of research results: The case of D.A.R.E.

The Foundation's Substance Abuse Policy Research Program was designed to encourage experts in public health, law, political science, medicine, sociology, criminal justice, economics, psychology, and other behavioral and policy sciences to address issues related to substance abuse. This grant supports a study that addresses a major problem: sound research and evaluation findings are frequently disregarded in making social policy. D.A.R.E. presents a strategic case for analysis. Since 1994, randomized experiments and a meta-analysis have questioned D.A.R.E.'s efficacy in preventing substance use. Yet, over the same time period, the program has expanded from approximately 50 percent of U.S. school districts to 80 percent. This study is designed to discover the role of research and evaluation in decisions about the program and to identify conditions associated with greater attention to the evidence.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded $346,063.00

Awarded on: 3/20/2000

Time frame: 6/1/2000 - 5/31/2005

Grant Number: 39080

Grantee

Harvard University

8 Garden Street
Cambridge, MA, 02138-3630

617-495-5501
Website

Carol Hirschon Weiss
Project Director

617-495-4144
Email

Most Requested