KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Dear Sir:

Re: Drug Awareness, A Job for Parents, letter to the editor from Anne-Marie
Stiff, June 12, 2002.

While I agree that parents need to take an active role in educating their
children on various issues, especially issues as damaging as drug and
alcohol use, I must disagree with Anne-Marie.

There are many parents that can't or won't inform their children on this
dangerous and potentially deadly issue. She states that "schools and
teachers cannot be held responsible for all of the social ills facing us
today" and she's right. They're not wholly responsible but, doesn't it take
a community to raise a child? As a mother and an educated individual, I've
taken workshops and courses in alcohol and drug use.

Do I know it all? Certainly not. Would I want my son to partake in the
DARE. program to receive any additional information that may help him make
healthy choices? You bet! The more information and frank discussion
parents, teachers and community members can bestow on our valuable kids can
only better their chances at a successful future. As they say: knowledge is
power.

Crystal Hamar

Terrace, BC