D.A.R.E. NEEDS MORE SUPPORT, ADDITIONAL TIME

It was disappointing to see the attack on the Drug Awareness Resistance
Education (D.A.R.E.) program that the St. Paul Public Schools have used
since 1989 [editorial, April 11]. St. Paul police have done an excellent
job sharing the dangers of violence, drugs, alcohol, tobacco and negative
peer pressure in our 17-week fifth-grade program. The problem is that the
program has been set up for possible failure by not allowing the
appropriate follow-up in the middle and high schools.

D.A.R.E.'s attackers use "effectiveness" as a smokescreen for their
ideological opposition. Many oppose police officers in schools, as they do
military recruiters, JROTC, Boy Scouts and others that have wide community
support and are voluntary. If they really want effective programs, give
D.A.R.E. the resources it needs -- an effective seventh-grade follow up
dealing with peer-pressure issues, and a 10th-grade program focusing on
criminal justice issues of drugs. If they claim to support the message but
shoot the messenger, let's expose their true ideological agenda.

The real issue is working to improve the program so it meets everyone's
needs. Much of the funding comes from the state, and St. Paul's charter and
private school participation keeps it cost effective. We already have
police liaisons in our middle and senior high schools who could partner
with us on an expanded program at little or no additional cost.

Work with us and offer true suggestions on how to make it a win-win
program, and stop using kids as political pawns. Our students deserve it.

TOM CONLON

ST. PAUL