CONGRATULATIONS TO D.A.R.E GRADS

We applaud the more than 350 sixth-graders from eight Hattiesburg area
schools who graduated from the Hattiesburg Police Department's Drug
Abuse Resistance Education - better known as D.A.R.E. - program.

The 10-week program is an effort to steer young people away from
illegal drugs and alcohol and tobacco products.

Unfortunately, there are new issues that the national D.A.R.E. program
is being forced to address - prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

D.A.R.E. officials last week said a new school curriculum that
addresses these new threats will be part of the group's 2008 efforts.

While abuse of illegal drugs is on the decline, according to D.A.R.E.
officials, abuse of legal drugs is rising. Nearly one in five teens
has used a prescription medication that was not prescribed to them.

For parents, teachers and young people, the battle just keeps getting
tougher.