DARE ISN'T THE BE ALL AND END ALL

Editor:

Let me clarify, DARE is very strong in the U.S. and President Bush just
declared April 11, National DARE day. This was to honour those
communities, schools and police officers taking part in preventing kids
from using drugs.

Critics of the DARE program generally fall into three categories; drug
legalization advocates, those who have their own drug prevention program
and drug users. It is not surprising to me that your story last week
made it to the Lindesmith Center in Washington DC because it advocates
the legalization of marijuana. Does it make you wonder why an
organization from the U.S. would be so concerned about us in Chilliwack?

I agree with Mr. Sharpe on a couple of points. Scare tactics don't work
for all kids so that is why we don't use them in DARE. I would also
agree with Mr. Sharpe on his point that the kids are being lied to about
marijuana and you only need to read the letter to the editor written by
Denise Ford to see that marijuana is a dangerous and addictive
substance. Doctors of Addiction Medicine in British Columbia also
confirm this. Research shows when the perceived risks of drug use is
low, drug use rises and vice versa. When you talk to our young people
you will quickly find out their perception of risk is low and it is
because to the mixed messages they are hearing. I find it appalling to
hear these messages repeated by some 10- and 11-year-olds in this
community.

The short-term positive outcomes of DARE are well supported in research.
In fact, a research based guide to prevention identifies eight NIDA
(National Institute on Drug Abuse) criteria for a successful program and
DARE meets them all. DARE was never developed to be a stand alone
program. As any parent would know, messages to our young people have to
be consistent and reinforced to be effective. DARE is a primary
prevention program which should form part of a much larger prevention
strategy which promotes healthy, non-destructive behaviors. Let's move
on and prevent kids from using drugs.

Sgt Bob Hall
RCMP Drug Awareness