D.A.R.E. PROGRAM HAS SHOWN TO BE WORTH THE EFFORT

Working with children is a rewarding experience.

It is also frustrating, time consuming, expensive, tiresome and
apparently, to some, not worth the effort.

I applaud the people who take on the challenge of educating and
working with our youth, whether you are a teacher, a principal, a
secretary, a school nurse or a DARE officer. Drug and alcohol use
among our nation's children is frighteningly more prevalent than you
might imagine. Doing something. Doing ANYTHING to try to prevent it is
never a BAD idea.

True, some of those 10-year-olds do not get the message, some get it
then FORGET it. But some who walk away from a DARE graduation go in to
be SADD members in high school and community leaders in life. I've
seen it happen. Regardless of the program, the presenters, or the
agenda, no format will ever reach 100 percent of your audience. But if
you have made one child stop and think or if you have helped to save
one life, it merits celebration and I DARE you to dispute that.

NANCY PHILLIS

Gratiot