Pubdate: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 Source: Birmingham News, The (AL) Copyright: 2004 The Birmingham News Contact: http://al.com/birminghamnews/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/45 Author: Sheri Hall DARE PROGRAM IS EFFECTIVE: I was disappointed to see your reporter Carla Crowder write such a one-sided article about DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). I noticed she failed to do follow-up and gather both sides of the issue. The article was filled with misinformation. The DARE program has been totally rewritten by the University of Akron in Ohio and is now taught by DARE officers all over the world. The university is in the process of completing a study on the new DARE program, which should be released soon. I urge readers to contact their local DARE officer or the state coordinator of DARE training, Sgt. Rick Nelson of the Huntsville Police Department, regarding local/statewide studies done in their communities. I know that Birmingham and Jefferson County have very large, successful DARE programs, and I thank them for all the hard work they do with young people. I have seen firsthand the results of their work, and I know that DARE is effective. Sheri Hall Tupelo, Miss. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart