KEEP UP FUNDING FOR DARE PROGRAM

I was heartsick to learn that our DARE program has been a victim of yet
another senseless budget cut!

Read the following letter written by our daughter, a fifth-grader who just
graduated the DARE. program from Tramway Elementary. The program made a
tremendous impact on her and I was looking forward to our other children
being able to participate in such a program that educates at an early age
the evils of drugs and the influence that their peers have on their lives.

Shame on the politicians/school board for cutting such an important program
at a time where our leaders know the gruesome statistics of drug use and
abuse on young adolescents.

As parents, my husband and myself have educated our children about drugs to
the best of our knowledge. However, the DARE program reinforced our
teaching at a professional level. (Thank you, Sgt. Rodriguez with the Lee
County Sheriff's Office, you are an excellent leader).

Please, re-think this budget cut for the sake of our community and for the
sake of our future citizens S our children.

AIMEE INGERSOLL

Sanford