DARE FAILS PARTLY BECAUSE IT TEACHES HALF-TRUTHS

I'm sure the Oakland Police Department means well in pushing the
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program (Oakland DARE Ready
To 'Rock' In New Year, Dec. 28). Nearly every study, including
government studies, however, show that DARE, including the revamped
model, is a failure and may be causing more drug use than
no program at all would.

One reason DARE fails is because it teaches lies, half-truths and
discredited "Reefer Madness" propaganda.

One example is when young people find out cannabis (marijuana) is
less harmful and addictive than taught, they think truly hard drugs
are also not so addictive, causing grave results.

Contributing to DARE perpetuates failure; money should be spent on
honest programs proven effective at protecting the children.

Stan White

Dillon, Colo.