D.A.R.E. CRITICISM MISGUIDED

I read the article in the June 7 issue of the Deseret News titled "Just say
no to D.A.R.E. party?" with utter dismay and disbelief.

I think Scott Howell may well have missed the whole point of the D.A.R.E.
program. We teach our children not to participate in activities that are
not appropriate for them. The point is to teach them to make responsible
choices, not to pretend that those choices don't exist.

If we don't expect them to be exposed to alcohol and drugs, then why would
we waste the time and effort, not to mention expend the funds, to have a
program as comprehensive and effective as the D.A.R.E. program? We do it
because we know it's our responsibility to give them the information and
skills necessary to meet the challenges they will inevitably face.

The D.A.R.E. program empowers children to make choices for their highest
good. Raising them in fear strips them of that empowerment. Telling our
children we don't dare let them walk down "the portals of Corona Light" is
sending a strong message that we don't have enough respect for their wisdom
or trust in them enough to believe they learned a thing they were taught.

If that's the case, cancel all the parties. We've been a dismal failure and
there's nothing to celebrate.

Sandra Malone, Salt Lake City