DARE TO ADMIT WHAT BEST SERVES OUR YOUTH

Re "Police Resistance to Gutting DARE Program Angers Panel," April 30:
Deputy Chief J.I. Davis claims that "DARE has a very positive role." I
defy him to show how graduating from DARE courses results in any
lessening of drug use, the stated purpose for the DARE program. DARE
supporters have lots of bluster but no facts. Are we funding the wrong
programs. Marijuana use among young people in the Netherlands (without
DARE) is half that of the U.S.

DARE is much like forfeiture laws, which serve to buy fancy cars and
other gadgets but do not reduce drug use. Supporters say that "DARE
improves school safety by bringing officers to campuses and is also a
valuable officer recruitment tool." How true. However, schools are to
provide a learning environment, not a recruitment site for the police.
The 71 DARE officers would serve as better recruitment tools out in
the community. The DARE budget should be diverted to treatment
programs that have been shown to reduce drug use.

Richard A. Hein, Fullerton