As you pointed out in your editorial of June 25, the DARE program may have
less effect than desired. Parents and schools rightly deserve positive
results.

DARE is not, of course, the only show in town. Milwaukee Children's
Theater Company, a non-profit company of professionally trained, adult
actors, has been creatively and effectively delivering the anti-drug
message in all 111 elementary schools of the Milwaukee Public Schools
system and private schools for the last 10 years.

The preceding 12 years were spent cultivating children in the theater
arts. Executive Director Debrah Bathurst has led the company all this
time with focus and commitment. The schools have repeatedly called her
and her troupe back. Mr. Demeany, the notorious vaudevillian drug
dealer, is a character the children instantly and wholeheartedly mistrust.

Teachers and parents have seen the drug awareness and caution build in
their youngsters. MCTC's veteran performances have proved that kids
can be reached with costumes rather than uniforms, and a low public
profile.

R. Gray Mitchem
Milwaukee