Pubdate: Wed, 05 Dec 2001 Source: Athens Banner-Herald (GA) Copyright: 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc Contact: http://www.onlineathens.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1535 Author: Christy O'Connell, Mike Smithson, Clifford A Schaffer Note: Headline by MAP Editor Referenced (1): http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1991/a08.html Referenced (2): http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1981/a05.html Referenced (3): http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n2012/a02.html DISCUSSING D.A.R.E. Local D.A.R.E. Graduate Supports The Anti-Drug Program This letter is written in response to the (Nov. 27) article, "D.A.R.E. bites out of budget worth cost." In sixth grade I participated in the D.A.R.E. program. Not only did I enjoy the program, but I became friends with a local policeman, Officer Pirro, and I learned a lot about drug abuse and peer pressure. The information I learned back then from the program and my parents has kept me from trying drugs. What about the kids whose parents don't take the time to inform them about drugs? As early as middle school, kids are exposed to drugs. This is why the D.A.R.E. program is desperately needed in the school system. Even though statistics have shown that the program is not entirely effective, if it teaches just two kids about the dangers of drug use and keeps them from using, then it is a successful program. Any effort is better than no effort. The city of Athens should provide funding to the police department to conduct this program in every school. It is ironic that the article entitled, "Drug culture persists in A-C high schools," was printed the day before the D.A.R.E. article. If drug use in Athens high schools is a problem, then why is the county commission discontinuing funds to a program that strives to prevent kids from using drugs? Drug problems determine the amount of crime there is in a city; therefore the city should support and fund the D.A.R.E. program. Christy O'Connell - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ D.A.R.E. Program Is A Failure And It's Time To Move On Sheriff Ira Edwards warned about not having D.A.R.E. in the schools. Wondering about the concern of the legislators, he said the tired old line, "if we can save just one child then it's worth it." Come on sheriff, why save just one? The fact is, the D.A.R.E. program has failed every single independent evaluation. It doesn't work. Your program says, "Just Say No," but what happens when the kids don't say no? You don't teach resiliency; heck, you're not even trained to teach about drugs. And the cost? Holy budget, Batman, look at the huge cost of teaching D.A.R.E. It's outrageous. Here's the truth concerning economics: A failing government program receives more money, while a failing private program will get cancelled or replaced. So, since we're all concerned about drugs in our community, why not look at other drug education programs? That's right, there are more than 200 drug education programs available, so why stick with D.A.R.E.? And why have cops teach a drug education program? Want to keep the cops in the schools? Fine. Have them teach what they know, like crisis intervention. Finally, educators around the country mostly agree that the best way to teach about drugs is to put the education in the text books for health class. Isn't it time for folks to try something different than the same old program that fails over and over? Mike Smithson ReconsiDer Speakers Bureau, director Syracuse, N.Y. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Don't Waste Any More Money On The D.A.R.E. Program Dick Mendenhall (Dec. 1 column) says that D.A.R.E. for kids is better than no message at all about drugs. No, it really isn't. That's the sum of all the research on the subject. It is a waste of time, money and effort, and there isn't a shred of credible evidence that it reduces drug use among children. That's why federal funding for D.A.R.E. was cut off. Somewhere along the line someone was bright enough to come up with a requirement that federally funded drug education programs actually work and can prove it. D.A.R.E. couldn't, so they got cut off. If anyone claims that D.A.R.E. is effective, then it is up to them to prove it. So far, none of the D.A.R.E. supporters have been able to do that. There are other drug education programs which really do work, which makes it a real sin to waste the money on D.A.R.E. Clifford A. Schaffer DRCNet Online Library of Drug Policy, director Canyon Country, CA - --- MAP posted-by: Beth