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 - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake