Pubdate: Mon, 07 Apr 2003
Source: Standard Democrat, The (MO)
Copyright: 2003 DA Publishing, LLC
Contact:  http://www.standard-democrat.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1843
Author: Cathy McCoy

SAVE DARE

This letter is to inform the voters of New Madrid County to please wake up 
to what is occurring in the county. Did you know that an educational 
program for the children is going to be eliminated in May 2003? Do you know 
why it is being eliminated?

I recently contacted one of the New Madrid County commissioners concerning 
a rumor that the Drug Abuse Resistance Educational Program (DARE) is to be 
eliminated in May. He informed me that it is not a rumor.

Below is a list of reasons I was given during our conversation:

1. The State of Missouri will no longer provide the funding for books and 
literature to teach the program;

2. Several other counties are also eliminating the program. My responses to 
the above reasons are:

1. The amount of money funded for material by the state was approximately 
$500. Last year, businessmen of New Madrid County donated approximately 
$1,500 to purchase material from the National Safety Council to be used in 
the DARE program. I am almost certain they would gladly donate again to 
purchase the material for DARE.

A grant was offered to pay half of the officer's salary to help maintain 
the program. The commissioners denied this offer.

2. One of the counties is eliminating the program due to personnel 
shortage. We have an officer.

I feel that if the parents are using drugs in the household, the children 
need the information taught in DARE even more than the other children. DARE 
teaches them the true effects of drugs on their body and on their lives. 
Approximately 1,500 children are educated by this program. If only 100 of 
these children are made more aware of the dangerous situations, DARE has 
made a great accomplishment. If we discontinue this program we are giving 
up on the children and we are not setting a good example for them.

People of New Madrid County, please ask yourselves the following questions:

1. Do you want the children educated against drugs or do you want them 
using drugs?

2. Should our children receive every opportunity we can offer?

3. Does your opinion make a difference in what happens in this county?

4. Do you care enough to do something?

Below are a few of the things you can do to help show your support for the 
DARE program:

1. Start a petition. At the top of the page, put "We Care About D.A.R.E. - 
Keep It In Our Schools." Take it to the people in your area and obtain as 
many signatures as possible. If you do not wish to take it to the 
commissioners, contact me and I will try to make arrangements to pick it up 
and present it to the commissioners.

2. Write letters to the commissioners. Send the letters to: The 
Commissioners in care of the New Madrid County Clerk's office, Courthouse 
Square, New Madrid, MO 63869

3. Call the commissioners Voice your opinion to the commissioners.

I am a concerned mother and grandmother.

Cathy McCoy 
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MAP posted-by: Beth