Index for the D.A.R.E. FAILING OUR KIDS series:

Sun, 27 Feb 2000:

D.A.R.E. Doesn't Work
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n281/a04.html

DARE Wary Of Outside Reviews
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n281/a02.html

Some Schools Opt Out Of Program
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n282/a04.html

Officers Become School Favorites
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n281/a06.html

Officers Hope To Make A Difference
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n292/a02.html

Analysis Tracks Students' Drug Use
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n292/a03.html

Mon, 28 Feb 2000:

DARE's Clout Smothers Other Drug Programs
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n292/a04.html

Raves Thrive As Teen Drug Havens
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n293/a04.html

Parents Struggle When Discussing Drugs With Teens
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n292/a05.html

Tips For Parents
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n293/a03.html

Parents' Anti-Drug Resource Guide [many website links]
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n293/a02.html

Tue, 29 Feb 2000:

Editorial: Drugs: Dare to be Honest
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n293/a05.html

Readers: Cops Key to DARE Success, Failure
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n293/a06.html

OFFICERS HOPE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Program Reinforces Their Desire To Touch Young People's
Lives

LANSING -- Larry Cantanzaro's son is still in elementary school, but
Cantanzaro already has talked to him about the dark side of drugs and
alcohol.

Catanzaro, an Oakland County Sheriff's deputy, is hoping their frank
talks will persuade his son to resist the peer pressure he'll someday
face to experiment with alcohol and drugs.

But influencing just one child isn't enough for Cantanzaro. He
recently spent two rigorous weeks with 32 other officers, training to
be certified as a DARE officer, so he can touch many young people's
lives.

"You really make an impact on children," Cantanzaro said. "You make an
impact that can last the rest of their lives."

Held mid-January in Lansing, the training program drew officers from
all over the state, from as far away as the U.P.

From 8 a.m. until as late as 10 p.m. they learned about drugs, took a
crash course in teaching techniques and poured over lessons about peer
pressure and how to say no.

In the final days of their training, the officers practiced with each
other.

"Hey, Terri, I have some marijuana. You want to go smoke it?"
Cantanzaro said to a classmate during a role-playing exercise aimed at
demonstrating peer pressure. The idea was to show the hard sell that
some kids must resist

"C'mon, all the other kids are doing it," he said.

"C'mon, chicken."

Afterward, the officers offered feedback to each other, noting where
they did well and where they could improve. Then the officers piled
into buses and traveled to classrooms with real kids for a final
performance before their permanent assignments.

Upon graduation, the officers joined the ranks of about 600 Michigan
cops who help teach the four-month DARE program to
5th-graders.

"We have to do more things so we can stop losing so many kids," said
trainer Mark Barker.

Barker admits DARE isn't the only answer to influencing kids to stay
away from alcohol and drugs. But he's convinced that during his years
as an officer he's made a difference in young lives.

To prove it, he pulls out a letter written to him by a former DARE
student, now a high school freshman.

"At this point in my life, it would be absolutely stupid of me to
start drinking or smoking," the letter read. "One of the reasons is
because I have a lot of years ahead of me."