WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE TO SCHOOL DARE PROGRAM?

It is not enough to criticize a program which intends to offer drug
resistance education to our youth unless you have a better
alternative (Letters, May 15). Critics point to national assessments
and bemoan a purported ineffectiveness of the program. What have they
done to help the situation? Is less information and education better?

When my children, who both graduated and are now productive members
of society, were attending public schools about 95 percent of their
schoolmates were thought to have tried an illegal substance as least
once during their school years. That meant to me that there was a 5
percent chance my kids could make it through school without abusing
drugs. It's not scientific. It's what the kids told me.

So, do we just sit back smugly and bemoan the situation or do
something productive about it? If the program reaches one child, it
is worth supporting.

Wayne N. Hedani

Wailuku