Pubdate: Wed, 28 Sep 2005
Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ)
Copyright: 2005 The Arizona Republic
Contact: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/sendaletter.html
Website: http://www.arizonarepublic.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Terry Bauer
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1499/a08.html

ELIMINATING DARE IS A SERIOUS MISTAKE

I was saddened to read that several Arizona
cities were doing away with the DARE program.

I am a retired police officer from the Chicago area, and the last
several years of my career was that of a DARE officer. It, by far, was
the best part of my career.

Although the DARE program focuses on not doing drugs, it also had a
large curriculum dealing with self-esteem and making good choices. I
do know that I had a positive police impact on hundreds of children. I
had many occasions where a former DARE student would assist the police
in solving criminal activity by contacting me and giving me
information.

The loss of DARE is a huge mistake. Positive contact with the police
is rare, and the kids will miss it.

Terry Bauer, Scottsdale
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake