KIDS NEED DRUG-EDUCATION PROGRAM

I have been involved with DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) for
21 years.

I have seen the positive effects that DARE has had on our
children.

I have had hundreds of students tell me they refused a drug offer
because of their DARE officer.

DARE is a proactive prevention program. It teaches students
decision-making skills.

DARE is a 10-week program taught to fifth-or sixth-graders.

It teaches students about consequences, peer pressure, ways to say no
to offers, violence prevention, decision making, gangs, Internet
safety, over-the-counter-/prescription-drug abuse, bullying and more.

Who better to help our students make good decisions than a
professional police officer, teaching in the classroom, equipped with
the most effective prevention curriculum - DARE - that's on the market
today?

With the new medical-marijuana law taking effect in a couple of
months, we need to be even more diligent with our prevention efforts.

Instead of cutting the programs to save a dollar, let's support our
kids with efforts of our DARE officers.

Dave Parsons, Chandler

The writer is Arizona DARE coordinator.