I have not read all the responses - wanted to share my experience first, then go back and read! 
We are in the middle of "Red Ribbon Week" here. Yesterday ds came home with a "drug free, way to be" sticker on and told me how they learned how to "hop away from alcohol, like frogs".
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So they told him alcohol is a drug and to stay away from it. When I told him my glass of wine or beer is alcohol, he was shocked, had no clue. So we had a good conversation about what alcohol actually is. Then about how in moderation things like red wine can actually be good for you - but in excess can really hurt your body. *sigh*
I detest DARE. It's a dangerous program, that at best does not work. I so clearly remember going through it and fearing pot - thinking some shady character in a back alley was going to "force" me to smoke some. Then I was totally unprepared when the guy who offered it to me was a super cute, popular guy I wanted to date - and that when I did try it, I wasn't "hooked" or "crazy" - I was just fine. Made me wonder if cocaine and all of the harder drugs were the same way. I mean, they lied about pot, why should I trust what they had to say about the other stuff??
I had always planned to keep ds out of the DARE program. But this is our 2nd year in public school and I felt it was going to really single him out - and as a kid with Aspergers, he does not need that at all. So I've chosen to speak with him openly and honestly in an age appropriate way. When he's older I will share my experiences, things I've learned and be brutally honest about all drugs - from caffeine to crack.
I'm just really irked by the whole alcohol is a dangerous drug thing. I mean, really? What are our kids supposed to think? I drink a glass of wine sometimes while cooking dinner and dh and I both like to buy good quality beers and drink a few while watching football on Saturdays. We model responsible, safe drinking. So to have DARE come in and basicly lump that in with smoking meth - it sucks. It's the whole "just say no" theme and we already know that DOES NOT WORK.
We are in the middle of "Red Ribbon Week" here. Yesterday ds came home with a "drug free, way to be" sticker on and told me how they learned how to "hop away from alcohol, like frogs".
:So they told him alcohol is a drug and to stay away from it. When I told him my glass of wine or beer is alcohol, he was shocked, had no clue. So we had a good conversation about what alcohol actually is. Then about how in moderation things like red wine can actually be good for you - but in excess can really hurt your body. *sigh*
I detest DARE. It's a dangerous program, that at best does not work. I so clearly remember going through it and fearing pot - thinking some shady character in a back alley was going to "force" me to smoke some. Then I was totally unprepared when the guy who offered it to me was a super cute, popular guy I wanted to date - and that when I did try it, I wasn't "hooked" or "crazy" - I was just fine. Made me wonder if cocaine and all of the harder drugs were the same way. I mean, they lied about pot, why should I trust what they had to say about the other stuff??
I had always planned to keep ds out of the DARE program. But this is our 2nd year in public school and I felt it was going to really single him out - and as a kid with Aspergers, he does not need that at all. So I've chosen to speak with him openly and honestly in an age appropriate way. When he's older I will share my experiences, things I've learned and be brutally honest about all drugs - from caffeine to crack.
I'm just really irked by the whole alcohol is a dangerous drug thing. I mean, really? What are our kids supposed to think? I drink a glass of wine sometimes while cooking dinner and dh and I both like to buy good quality beers and drink a few while watching football on Saturdays. We model responsible, safe drinking. So to have DARE come in and basicly lump that in with smoking meth - it sucks. It's the whole "just say no" theme and we already know that DOES NOT WORK.
She's also a fairly inexperienced teacher- a long term sub while the regular health teacher is on maternity leave. I suspect a more experienced teacher would have handled the presentation very differently- let DD2 defend herself and answer other students questions, and then reiterate "kids shouldn't drink, period" after the presentation was over.
