Actually, this discussion brings to mind a bigger issue. Yes, kids can see through isolated phoniness. But, for that to occur, they need some other basis for reference. I remember always thinking that the Nazi and Communist posters of the patriotic youth or farm workers (happy sickle bearers, for example) were laughably silly. I had a different place to view them from, growing up in post-WWII America. However, if you don't have a different set of experiences, these pieces of propaganda are distressingly effective. Look at, for example, madrassas, or the Palestinian explosive belt death cult, or the Hitler Youth.
DARE may be silly, but only because its comically inept and badly done. It does encourage the kids to rat out their parents. It would be evil if it were more effective.