DARE NOT ONLY SHOW

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