Pubdate: Thu, 01 Jan 2009
Source: Morning Sentinel (Waterville, ME)
Copyright: 2009 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc
Contact: 
http://centralmaine.mainetoday.com/readerservices/lettertotheeditor.html
Website: http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1474
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n1168/a07.html
Author: Stan White

DARE FAILS PARTLY BECAUSE IT TEACHES HALF-TRUTHS

I'm sure the Oakland Police Department means well in  pushing the 
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)  program (Oakland DARE Ready 
To 'Rock' In New Year, Dec.  28). Nearly every study, including 
government studies,  however, show that DARE, including the revamped 
model,  is a failure and may be causing more drug use than 
no  program at all would.

One reason DARE fails is because it teaches lies,  half-truths and 
discredited "Reefer Madness"  propaganda.

One example is when young people find out cannabis  (marijuana) is 
less harmful and addictive than taught,  they think truly hard drugs 
are also not so addictive,  causing grave results.

Contributing to DARE perpetuates failure; money should  be spent on 
honest programs proven effective at  protecting the children.

Stan White

Dillon, Colo.
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