Pubdate: Fri, 21 Dec 2007
Source: Newsday (NY)
Copyright: 2007 Newsday Inc.
Contact:  http://www.newsday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/308
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1426/a07.html
Author: Fred Seiden

DARE DESERVES A PASSING GRADE

I am disappointed by "Dare to end the DARE program" [Editorial, Dec. 
6], which all but celebrates the impending demise of DARE (Drug Abuse 
Resistance Education) in Suffolk.

I cannot speak to the so-called national and local studies that claim 
the program failed in its mission to decrease long-term drug use. 
Yet, I can attest to this: As an elementary schoolteacher until my 
retirement in 2006, whose students were involved in DARE since its 
inception almost 20 years ago, along with its later counterpart, the 
STARE (Stop Anti-Semitism and Racism Everywhere) program, I can 
confidently say that both were meritorious.

They were led by caring and dedicated police officers who were able 
to motivate and engage my students as well as my colleagues and, at 
the very least, raised both students' and adults' levels of 
consciousness when it came to hard-hitting topics, such as 
drug/alcohol abuse, peer pressure, violence, stress and prejudice.

No matter how skilled we classroom teachers may be, we could never 
have exercised the same authoritative impact of experienced uniformed 
officers who directly dealt with the aforementioned critical issues 
on a regular basis.

As a result, students and educators alike gained a knowledge and 
perspective that included trust, admiration and respect for the 
gallant work that police officers perform. I doubt there is any 
statistical study that could accurately measure the attitudinal 
benefits derived from the DARE program.

The critics of the DARE program need to ask this question: If the 
program was not a success, then why, in a climate of ever-increasing 
local taxes, have Suffolk school districts, led by parents, board 
members, administrators, teachers and students, vigorously lobbied 
the Suffolk Legislature year after year to keep DARE alive and thriving?

Perhaps the answer is because DARE has made a difference in the lives 
of our children as well as our communities.

Fred Seiden

North Babylon
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