DARE A WASTE OF MONEY

The Chronicle's Aug. 31 editorial "Failure," referring to the
ineffective DARE anti-drug program, hit the hammer on the handle. But
"ineffective" is too mild a term. What about detrimental and
catastrophic?

The policemen who implement the program in our schools have good
intentions, qualifications and sincerity, but the big flaw in the DARE
program is that it tries to convey functional solutions directed to
the already-set character traits of these kids who are surrounded by a
global drug culture. This includes the 70 million adults addicted to
prescription drugs (just in this country).

Also, please note that winos are now called the "homeless," the
druggies are called "substance abusers," the alcoholics have a
"disease" and the hard-core criminal claims to have been abused as a
child (physically or sexually).

Until we admit there are thousands of big drug lords in this country;
when we accept the 60 percent of females working outside their homes;
when we recognize the parental neglect; until we stop the media's
glamorizing of illegal drugs -- DARE can only dare to dare.

DARE is a waste of time and money. The editorial was wise to recommend
that the police officers in the program would be better employed
patrolling unsafe neighborhoods.

Jose M. Cisneros, Houston

Checked-by: Patrick Henry