D.A.R.E. PROGRAM MAKES LESS DIFFERENCE THAN THOUGHT

Dear Editor,

I'm sure deputy James Moore means well, however D.A.R.E. programs
make less of a difference in kids lives than he thinks (DARE Program
Thriving In Comal ISD article, Jan. 30, 2008).

Nearly every study including government studies shows D.A.R.E. is a
failure and may be causing more drug use than no program at all. One
reason D.A.R.E. fails is because it teaches lies, half truths and
discredited reefer madness propaganda. One example: when youth finds
out the relatively safe God-given plant cannabis is less harmful and
addictive than taught, they think honest hard drugs are also not so
addictive; causing grave results.

DARE is great for police, their unions and job security, however
money should be spent on honest programs proven effective at
protecting children.

Truthfully, Stan White Dillion, CO.

Mr. White was kind enough to share listings of various websites that
discuss the findings from studies regarding the D.A.R.E. Program:

An Analysis of DARE http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/daremenu.htm

Drug Abuse Resistance Education: The Effectiveness of DARE by David
J. Hanson, Ph.D http://www.alcoholfacts.org/DARE.html

Ineffective DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program Remains
Popular http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/controversies/20070705122620.html

Reference List for DARE Evaluations
http://web.mala.bc.ca/crim/dev/DARE_Eval.htm

DARE ALLEGED TO HAVE INCREASED USE OF DRUGS AMONG THE YOUNG
http://www.apfn.org/thewinds/1996/10/dare.html