COPS SHOULD DO REAL JOB

The road to hell is paved with good intentions, they say, and the
item by Jeff Scott (The News, Oct. 26) illustrates this perfectly.

His stated intention is to make a positive difference in the lives of
the children of the community.

To this end, he embraces the DARE program and seeks to support its
continuation by speaking of the intentions of the program.

He also offers several opinions, which he claims incorrectly are
facts. (see www.drugwardistortions.org or www.drugwarlies.org for the
truth and the facts.

His unquestioning support of the program is incredible.

Many studies of DARE have been performed, and none show it reduces
youth drug experimentation.

Some actually show that it increases this activity. Perhaps it is
because the kids find out that the cops are telling them outright
lies mixed with half truths, perhaps it is because they rebel against
society more as a result of this indoctrination. Perhaps there are
other reasons, but the fact is that DARE does not work.

Therefore, it is a monumental waste of time and resources.

I believe that the real reason that cops like to do the DARE program
is because it is a break from their real job.

That cop would be doing more for society if he just went and did his
real job, and left teaching to the real teachers, ones who have had
more than a quickie two week teach the teacher course, and can
actually communicate facts, truth and nuances to kids.

Bruce Symington

Medicine Hat, Alberta