DOES THE DARE SCHOOL PROGRAM WORK?

Implementing the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program was one of the
single most important things I have done in my law enforcement career. Yes,
it is certainly not a cure-all, but it is certainly an important beginning —
one that educators should build on rather than tear down.

Edward A. Glomb, Chief of Police, Franklin Police Department, Franklin

Two recent reports in The News caught my interest. The first was the Feb. 23
report of the sentencing of the Warren teen-ager whose newborn baby perished
after she abandoned it outside a Catholic church (“Mom gets probation in
death”). The second was the Feb. 27 account of the perceived failure of the
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program in preventing the use of
drugs among teenagers.

I was so grateful that Macomb Circuit Judge John Bruff showed compassion in
sentencing the teen-ager. But there has been no mention of the father of the
abandoned baby. Shouldn’t he also be identified publicly, put on probation
and required to speak to other teen-aged boys about the consequences of
irresponsible sex?

While I do not condone the irresponsible pregnancy, the sex-saturated
liberal media are the real culprit. She was only copying the behavior of
those clever, witty characters on Ally McBeal, Friends, Spin City and Dharma
and Greg — to name a few. There are rarely consequences to their TV antics.

Nor can you expect young people to heed the message of DARE when there is
open drug use at rock concerts with no consequences; and Hollywood and the
Detroit News’ movie critic are promoting the movie American Beauty for
numerous Academy Awards even though it treats drug dealing with tolerance.

If we want our young people to behave responsibly, we have to give them
responsible role models in the media, especially in an era when parental
involvement with children is compromised by working mothers.

Mary Grace Robb, West Bloomfield

In response to The Detroit News special report published Feb. 28 titled
“DARE Failing Our Kids”: I was not surprised to read yet another negative
comment made by opponents that most likely have never attended a DARE (Drug
Abuse Resistance Education) lesson or fully researched the purpose of
program.

I was, however, pleased to read that emphasis was placed on parent
involvement to reduce drug abuse among our young people. As a parent, I know
that my actions and words make more of an impact and shape my children’s
future more than any other instructor. I do welcome, support and encourage
any positive instruction my children may receive at school through programs
that teach responsible behavior.

I question the surveys and data used by opponents who suggest DARE does not
make a positive difference in teens. DARE has indeed helped teens avoid and
successfully deal with the pressures to use drugs, including alcohol and
cigarettes.

Certainly, parents and the community must be well aware that there is no
guaranteed, single immediate solution to the drug problem. As a DARE
officer, I present our children with the information and skills necessary to
assist them in making the right decision, and I hope they remember the
classroom discussions, role plays and essays when confronted with peer,
media, family and personal pressures. A confident, well-informed and
convincing DARE officer is the backbone of the program.

William Castro, Detective Sergeant, Franklin Police Department, Franklin

On Feb. 27, I was shocked and dismayed to see the headline “DARE doesn’t
work” on the front page.

I am a sophomore at Southfield-Lathrup Sr. High School and a product of the
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program. I already knew the effects o
f drug use before I entered DARE and decided never to use them. But DARE did
reinforce my beliefs.

I truly believe that if you have changed one person for the good, you’ve
helped to make this world a better place. Even if DARE hasn’t transformed
multitudes of adolescents, I am positive it has affected more than a
handful.

Kelli Hughes, Southfield