CUT CHANDLER DRUG EDUCATION? DON'T YOU D.A.R.E.

As a Chandler resident, I know we have come a long way during the
past two decades lowering the drug abuse that was previously getting
out of control.

We are winning the war on drugs. Studies done by the Arizona Criminal
Justice Commission on drug use among eighth-graders show that between
2005 and 2008, alcohol use was down 9.4 percent, tobacco use was down
3.6 percent and marijuana use was down 3 percent.

The police have gained a solid footing in our city, accompanied by a
matching reputation regionally, nationally and internationally. The
cuts to the D.A.R.E. program will not only diminish our quality of
life for Chandler residents but will begin a process of turning our
backs on our children, their future, and ultimately our future.

I am counting on your vote and support to save the D.A.R.E. program.

Schools are vulnerable and continue to be soft targets

In Chandler, D.A.R.E. is taught in 38 public and private schools.

Last year, 3,900 Chandler students graduated from the D.A.R.E. program.

D.A.R.E. officers also teach gang-prevention training along with
Internet-predator classes, prescription- and over-the-counter drug
abuse classes, bullying classes, "stranger danger," meth classes and others.

Removing D.A.R.E. officers from our elementary schools will remove
the only regular police presence.

D.A.R.E. officers serve as the first line of defense in our schools
during a critical incident.

Budgets are about Priorities not Dollars

Proponents tell us cutting D.A.R.E. will save $720,000.00. Less than
nine-tenths of 1 percent of the operating budget.

Utilizing off-budget sources, such as fundraising, honorariums and a
few dollars from the schools, all books and supplies for D.A.R.E. do
not come out of the general budget.

D.A.R.E. also conducts two youth academies camps for some of our most
at-risk youth.

D.A.R.E. is Cost-Effective

The math is straightforward: D.A.R.E. workbooks cost .89 cents each.

Cost of incarcerating a prisoner for one year is about $40,000.

D.A.R.E. is Tested, Proven, and Works!

19 studies since 1997 show D.A.R.E. is effective, including a study
by the National Medical Association showing D.A.R.E. graduates are
five times less likely to begin smoking than non-D.A.R.E. graduates.
At least 11 independent studies can be found at www.dare.org showing
the proven effectiveness of the program.

D.A.R.E. now has enhanced lessons and activities on cyber bullying,
teen over-the-counter and prescription drug abuse, methamphetamine,
bullying, gangs, and Internet safety, to name a few.

All curricula are science-based, age appropriate, reading-level
appropriate, and written by a national panel of prevention experts.
All meet health, reading and math standards.

D.A.R.E. PASSES the Common Sense Test

D.A.R.E. not only educates children about the dangers of illegal
drugs and violence, while fostering positive relationships between
police officers and children, D.A.R.E. helps place future good
decision-makers on the street, a wise budget decision by any measure.

Please let your concerns be known; call or e-mail your council today.