DON'T DISCOURAGE DARE STUDENTS

It Does Help Kids Make Wise Choices, See Consequences

After being called to active duty in service for my country, I had to leave
behind not only my children, but several I was teaching in the Drug
Awareness Resistance Program at many schools in and around Charleston.

When I called home recently, I was furious to hear that yet again, someone
was on television downgrading the program. As a police officer who
wholeheartedly loves, supports and believes in DARE, I had to respond.

Is DARE perfect? No. Will every child who takes the program never start
smoking or try drinking? No.

But I will say this: It gives them choices. It gives them answers to
questions. It equips them to deal with peer pressure and self-esteem and
teaches them consequences.

In all the years and with all the children I have taught, I have yet to
have one parent complain. I have always encouraged my "children" to invite
their parents to my classes.

Granted, DARE will never be the perfect cure to end youth smoking, drinking
and violence, but it is something in place and I feel it works. The very
few of my very first students who actually do smoke do so because their
parents do. I have had parents tell me they blame themselves.

I tell my classes from day one that if their parents are drinking, smoking
and doing narcotics, they will need to be extra strong to resist. I can
only give them opinions and teach them how special they are, and then it is
up to them to make wise decisions.

I also think DARE is a time to positively bond children with police
officers. They see and hear so much negativity. When they see we are real,
with our own children, our own goals, our own problems, they can relate.

We have a DARE box where students can leave questions for their officers.
Most questions are read out loud at the beginning of the day's lesson. Some
are personal.

I have actually gone home and cried when reading some of them like: "My dad
smokes pot -- help me"; "My mom is getting beat up by her drunk boyfriend.
Please tell me how to help her." It goes on and on.

This is heartbreaking. Yet never once have I condemned one of these parents
to the students. I tell them to love their parents, help them and offer
suggestions. Not once have I pursued steps to arrest or investigate because
the children come to me sincerely wanting to help their loved ones.

The DARE program will never be perfect, but some parents accept more
responsibility for their children and set better examples.

DARE is necessary. I have some wonderful parents who are totally into their
children's lives, but for the students who don't, I like to be there.

To the critics I say: Until there is something better, please keep your
unproved comments and thoughts to yourselves. Don't discourage my DARE
students.

DARE also helped me to quit smoking, so don't tell me it doesn't work.

Staff Sgt. Spriggs, who runs the program for the Charleston Police
Department, wrote this letter from Fort Dix, N.J., where she was awaiting
overseas assignment.