D.A.R.E. WRONG ABOUT WEED

The old lessons make cannabis out to be among the worst substances in
the world.

I'm sure D.A.R.E. officers mean well ("D.A.R.E. program effective
despite downsizing, advocates say," Dec. 26). However, nearly every
study, including government studies, shows D.A.R.E. is a failure and
may be causing more drug use than no program at all.

One reason D.A.R.E. fails is because it teaches lies, half-truths and
discredited reefer-madness propaganda concerning cannabis
(marijuana). For example: When youth find out the relatively safe,
God-given plant (see the first page of the Bible) is less harmful and
addictive than taught, they think other substances must not be so bad
either, only to become addicted to deadly drugs.

The old lessons make cannabis out to be among the worst substances in
the world, even though it's less addictive than coffee and never
directly killed a single person. Government even classifies cannabis
as a Schedule I substance along with heroin, while methamphetamine
and cocaine are only Schedule II substances. For the health and
welfare of America's children and adults, that dangerous and
irresponsible message absolutely must change.

Further, D.A.R.E. instructors teach that cannabis is bad and should
be prohibited, yet unregulated sales of cannabis force buyers into
contact with people who often sell hard drugs, which increases
addiction rates. Legalizing cannabis would lower deadly hard-drug
addiction. But D.A.R.E. doesn't teach that.

Resources should be put toward anti-drug programs proven effective at
protecting youth, not compromising them.

Stan White

Dillon, Colo.