Gen Zers and Millennials alike are somewhat familiar with Drug Abuse Resistance Education, aka D.A.R.E. — This drug prevention program launched in Los Angeles in 1983 with the mission of "teaching specific information about specific drugs and their negative effects," and it infamously has young students pledge never to do drugs.
Recently, D.A.R.E. has seemingly come out of the woodwork and begun making headlines for criticizing one über-popular HBO series: Euphoria, which is currently airing its second season.
While Euphoria—which features drug-related subject matter, including a recent scene in which Zendaya's character almost overdoses—has been well-received by critics and audiences, D.A.R.E. is taking issue with how the series allegedly glorifies "destructive behaviors."
"Rather than further each parent's desire to keep their children safe from the potentially horrific consequences of drug abuse and other high-risk behavior, HBO's television drama, Euphoria, chooses to misguidedly glorify and erroneously depict high school student drug use, addiction, anonymous sex, violence, and other destructive behaviors as common and widespread in today's world," a D.A.R.E. representative stated.
"It is unfortunate that HBO, social media, television program reviewers, and paid advertising have chosen to refer to the show as 'groundbreaking,' rather than recognizing the potential negative consequences on school-age children who today face unparalleled risks and mental health challenges" they continued.
D.A.R.E. is also offering to meet with the show's producers to facilitate a larger conversation on the matter.
"We would welcome the opportunity for our team, including members of our high school-aged Youth Advocacy Board, to meet with individuals at HBO who are involved with producing Euphoria to present our concerns directly," the rep added.
It's worth noting that stars and producers have been very upfront about the show's subject matter. Zendaya even put out a statement before the season 2 premiere to reiterate that Euphoria is for mature audiences.
— Zendaya (@Zendaya) January 9, 2022
Earlier productions like Skins and Kids also centered on teenage drug use and sexual activity, and popular documentary shows like Intervention depict real-life people struggling with addiction.
None of the series' main stars appear to have acknowledged D.A.R.E.'s complaint.
