D.A.R.E. SUCCESS

HARWOOD HEIGHTS -- I was upset to see your Aug. 11 editorial slamming
the D.A.R.E. program. Every few years someone does a study on how
ineffective the program is but never offers any alternatives.

I have been a police officer for 19 years and a D.A.R.E. officer since
1989. The program has gone through many updates to keep it current. It
does not begin or stop at the 5th grade level. I also teach the 8th
grade curriculum, and there is also a high school component and parent
component. I also work with kindergarten through 3rd grade as Officer
Friendly to instill the values our young people need to learn.

Granted when my work is completed, some young adults will become
involved with substance abuse. But parents must pick up the slack to
continue to instill values and be positive role models for their
children. In my experience the number of young people who lead
positive, drug-free lives far outweighs the number who fall by the
wayside. Doesn't that make the program successful? Attend a D.A.R.E.
graduation and see firsthand how excited children and their parents
are about the program.