Pubdate: Sun, 10 Apr 2005
Source: Salisbury Post (NC)
Copyright: 2005 Post Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.salisburypost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/380
Author: Eva Nelson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM IS WORTH SUPPORTING

Several weeks ago, I attended a special graduation ceremony for my 
fifth-grade daughter. The ceremony marked her graduation from the D.A.R.E. 
program.

This program is for fifth-grade students. The city of Salisbury Police 
Department is responsible for the program. The mnemonic, D.A.R.E., stands 
for Drug Awareness Resistance Education. The kids learn about the negative 
effects of illegal drugs, tobacco and alcohol. The D.A.R.E. program may be 
the only tool of education against these substances for many of our children.

At the graduation ceremony, I was told that funding for this program has 
been drastically reduced over the last several years. The continued 
operation of this program may be jeopardized by further cuts in funding. I 
consider this program to be like an "immunization" against a potentially 
deadly illness.

Preventive medicine is the norm with regard to contagious diseases. Abuse 
of illegal drugs, tobacco and/or alcohol is a potentially lethal condition 
that affects many of our children. Media exposure and peer pressure often 
encourage them to abuse these substances. The D.A.R.E program seeks to 
intervene on their behalf. The D.A.R.E. officers educate fifth graders 
about media and peer influences. The officers educate them about the 
horrible effects of illegal drugs, tobacco and alcohol.

The "preventive medicine" in this case is education. Budget cuts mean that 
your child might not be "immunized" against illegal drugs, tobacco or 
alcohol. Shouldn't we parents demand that the D.A.R.E. program receive 
appropriate funding?

- -- Eva Nelson

Salisbury
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom