Pubdate: Mon, 18 May 2009
Source: Maui News, The (HI)
Copyright: 2009 The Maui News
Contact:  http://www.mauinews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2259
Author: Wayne N. Hedani

WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE TO SCHOOL DARE PROGRAM?

It is not enough to criticize a program which intends to offer drug 
resistance education to our youth unless you have a better 
alternative (Letters, May 15). Critics point to national assessments 
and bemoan a purported ineffectiveness of the program. What have they 
done to help the situation? Is less information and education better?

When my children, who both graduated and are now productive members 
of society, were attending public schools about 95 percent of their 
schoolmates were thought to have tried an illegal substance as least 
once during their school years. That meant to me that there was a 5 
percent chance my kids could make it through school without abusing 
drugs. It's not scientific. It's what the kids told me.

So, do we just sit back smugly and bemoan the situation or do 
something productive about it? If the program reaches one child, it 
is worth supporting.

Wayne N. Hedani

Wailuku
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom