D.A.R.E. TO BE DIFFERENT

Antidrug education programs must be reality based, or they may backfire
when kids are inevitably exposed to drug use among their peers ["Truth or
D.A.R.E.," February 26]. After almost two decades of Drug Abuse Resistance
Education (D.A.R.E.), heroin use among high school seniors has reached
record levels. Minimizing drug use requires strategies based on proven
effectiveness, not "feel good" programs that please parents, educators, and
police.

ROBERT SHARPE, M.P.A.
Program Officer
The Lindesmith Center- Drug Policy Foundation Washington, D.C.