PROGRAM ATTRACTS STUDENTS TO DRUGS

The Editor:

I'm writing about the July 19 article headlined, Future of DARE program in
Spruce Grove uncertain.

Common sense dictates that the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)
program should deter drug use. But it doesn't. If anything, DARE graduates
are more likely to use drugs, not less. Common sense tells us that the
earth is the centre of the universe and the solar system. But it's not.

Common sense tells us that prohibiting a product reduces the use of the
product prohibited. Actually, drug prohibition has proven to be
counterproductive and substantially increase drug usage.

Before marijuana was prohibited in the United States via the Marijuana Tax
Act of 1937, the vast majority of Americans had never even heard of
marijuana. Today everybody in the United States knows what marijuana is and
the U.S. government estimates that 76 million Americans have used it. Half
of all high school students will use it before they graduate.

It is human nature for people to want what they are told they cannot have,
especially children. The "forbidden fruit" appeal is very strong.

It should be obvious that drug prohibition just doesn't work, except to
provide for full employment for those doing the prohibiting.

It's time to do something different. Substantially different.

Kirk Muse, Mesa, Ariz.