DON'T CUT D.A.R.E. PROGRAM

Dear editor, I had the pleasure of attending my daughter's D.A.R.E.
graduation ceremony at Alta Heights Elementary.

First, I wanted to thank everyone who had made it possible for such a
great program to be available to our kids. This program not only
teaches the kids about drug and alcohol awareness, but also about how
to make good choices in their future and to choose positive
relationships. They also were talked to about gang activity and how
to say no.

During the ceremony, Office Stornetta talked about how this is the
last year for the D.A.R.E. program. He has been doing the program for
19 years. I finally turned to his wife, who was sitting behind me,
and asked her if he was retiring. She said he already retired but
came back half time to do the D.A.R.E. program. I asked who will be
taking over for him and she broke the news that the D.A.R.E. program
is going to be no longer.

It is a shame that this program is being cut. I think this is a great
program that helps kids become aware of what can come up in their
future. Napa County, as we all know, has its problems with drugs,
alcohol and gangs. I am sure there are a lot of programs in Napa
County for drugs, alcohol and gangs for teenagers once they end up in
the juvenile system. Why cut a program that teaches prevention? Why
are we waiting until we have to do an intervention?

Marlee Gradias,

Napa