D.A.R.E. NO DUD

In response to James Brovard (DARE's dying gasp," Oct. 10), I take extreme
objection to his viewpoint. The Franklin Park Police Department has
conducted a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) class at Franklin
Elementary School for the past seven years, and what this article is
telling us is that we have wasted our time! I think not! To do "nothing" is
a waste of time.

This mindless author should go to a DARE graduation ceremony and hear the
students read their essays pledging not to use drugs, alcohol and tobacco
and to deal with peer pressure and bullying. In my opinion, a study should
be done on people who do studies and write articles like this piece of trash!

This article is disgustingly one-sided. There is no opposing viewpoint and
the other side was not given a chance to respond.

I personally have attended most of the graduation ceremonies and each time
I get a lump in my throat when I hear the students speak, and I pray they
never become entrapped in a cycle of drug use.

If there is a message from DARE, it is that drugs and alcohol destroy lives
and families. You tell me what's wrong with that message? Our DARE officer
works her heart out each and every year and does an excellent job. The
principal has given his full support and believes in the message that the
program sends to the students.

What I really resent is that a picture of our DARE officer and DARE vehicle
was used for this article. The last part of the article states that
politicians, school officials and police need the courage to admit that
DARE is a dud. As Chief of Police of Franklin Park, with firsthand
experience in this project, I say it's the other way around, the author and
this article are the "dud."

Donald R. Dorsch