Pubdate: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 Source: East Valley Tribune (AZ) Copyright: 2010 East Valley Tribune. Contact: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/page/letter_to_the_editor Website: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2708 Author: Tegan Halberg D.A.R.E.: DON'T STOP TEACHING IT Recently the Chandler Police Department is considering cutting the D.A.R.E. program out of schools due to budget shortfalls. If D.A.R.E. were to end it would be a devastation to the city. I, like hundreds of other kids, will never forget the lessons D.A.R.E. has taught me, as "just say no" is permanently embedded in my mind. Having a D.A.R.E. program educates kids on the dangers of drugs and alcohol in a world filled with it. It bestows upon them the courage to say no and to stand up for what is right, as well as enables them to trust in police officers. It gives them the tools to make good friends and choices that will carry them through the rest of their lives. As the previous Arizona D.A.R.E. Youth Advisory Board member, I can attest to the impact D.A.R.E. had on not only me, but my peers and those I taught as well. Taking the program away would be a crippling mistake. So I hope that parents, teachers, and community members of all ages stand up for D.A.R.E., as it is a prominent tool in the growth and betterment of the city. Please let the City Council and the Chandler Police Department know that we want the D.A.R.E. program to continue in Chandler. TEGAN HALBERG CHANDLER BASHA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE 2009, NATIONAL D.A.R.E. SCHOLARSHIP WINNER 2009 - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D