D.A.R.E. DOES MORE HARM THAN GOOD

It is incorrect to write that D.A.R.E. "certainly doesn't hurt" (Second
Thoughts, "Does Tracy dare cut this program," Saturday Tracy Press). Nearly
every study, including government studies, indicate D.A.R.E. and the
revamped model D.A.R.E not only is a failure but it may be causing
increased drug use. D.A.R.E. causes higher hard drug addiction rates.
(Source: Lynam, Donald R., Milich, Richard, et al., "Project D.A.R.E.: No
Effects at 10-Year Follow-Up", Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.)

D.A.R.E. fails in part because it teaches lies, half-truths and
propaganda about cannabis. How many people hear D.A.R.E. teach that
cannabis (marijuana) is bad and then try it and find out it is not
nearly as harmful as taught and think other substances must not be so
bad, either, only to become addicted to honest hard drugs?

D.A.R.E. should be replaced with programs proven effective at helping
protect youth from honest hard drugs.

Stan White

Dillon, Colorado