INTERNATIONAL PROJECTION AND METHODOLOGICAL COOPERATION: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN THE U.S. D.A.R.E. PROGRAM AND COLOMBIA’S JUVENILE PREVENTION MODELS

Abstract

This study investigated the methodological convergence between the United States D.A.R.E. program and Colombian models for the prevention of juvenile delinquency, with the objective of identifying common structural axes and evaluating the feasibility of establishing a hemispheric cooperation framework in preventive policies. A qualitative and comparative literature review was conducted using scientific studies, institutional reports, and technical documents describing pedagogical strategies, educational policing practices, and psychosocial interventions implemented in schools and community environments. This methodological approach enabled the analysis of conceptual and operational elements present in both programs, which were organized into three central categories: educational prevention, police training, and psychosocial support. The findings indicate that D.A.R.E. has undergone significant transformation through the incorporation of interactive methodologies based on life-skills development, aligning more closely with approaches used in Latin America, where Colombia demonstrates consolidated experience integrating schools, community psychologists, and citizen security institutions. The convergence between these models shows that both rely on strategies that strengthen socio-emotional competencies, promote active student participation, and enhance protective factors in social contexts marked by various vulnerabilities. Additionally, it was observed that the presence of trained educational police officers, when guided by pedagogical and communicative practices, contributes to building positive relationships between institutions and youth, reinforcing the potential for methodological cooperation across countries. The analysis also revealed that the integration of pedagogical practices, police engagement, and psychosocial support forms a solid foundation for the construction of a hemispheric prevention system capable of responding to contemporary youth needs through adaptable and evidence-based methodologies. In conclusion, the articulation between the United States and Colombia represents a strategic opportunity to develop hybrid programs, implement harmonized curricula, and establish networks for technical exchange, thereby strengthening crime prevention and youth protection policies across the Americas.