D.A.R.E. NO DUD In response to James Brovard (DARE's dying gasp," Oct. 10), I take extreme objection to his viewpoint. The Franklin Park Police Department has conducted a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) class at Franklin Elementary School for the past seven years, and what this article is telling us is that we have wasted our time! I think not! To do "nothing" is a waste of time. This mindless author should go to a DARE graduation ceremony and hear the students read their essays pledging not to use drugs, alcohol and tobacco and to deal with peer pressure and bullying. In my opinion, a study should be done on people who do studies and write articles like this piece of trash! This article is disgustingly one-sided. There is no opposing viewpoint and the other side was not given a chance to respond. I personally have attended most of the graduation ceremonies and each time I get a lump in my throat when I hear the students speak, and I pray they never become entrapped in a cycle of drug use. If there is a message from DARE, it is that drugs and alcohol destroy lives and families. You tell me what's wrong with that message? Our DARE officer works her heart out each and every year and does an excellent job. The principal has given his full support and believes in the message that the program sends to the students. What I really resent is that a picture of our DARE officer and DARE vehicle was used for this article. The last part of the article states that politicians, school officials and police need the courage to admit that DARE is a dud. As Chief of Police of Franklin Park, with firsthand experience in this project, I say it's the other way around, the author and this article are the "dud." Donald R. Dorsch
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