DARE Program Makes Difference

Re “DARE or Not? Schools Review Anti-Drug Efforts,” Dec. 22:

For the past two years, I have taught the DARE program to over 3,500 elementary students in the Garden Grove Unified School District. I know I am making a difference in my students’ lives because I am building bonds that will last a lifetime.

During the 17-week curriculum I do not teach kids to just say “no.” I teach them why and how to say “no” and more importantly, I teach them the consequences of getting involved with street gangs or illicit drugs.

My students also learn about violence, peer pressure, self-esteem and other related issues that can interfere with their ability to make good decisions.

DARE was never designed to be a “cure-all” for society’s juvenile problems. DARE is about prevention, not about taking the responsibility away from the parents and the community. The overall effectiveness of DARE depends greatly on the support of the community, the DARE officers’ ability to teach and, most importantly, the reinforcement by parents.

My experience has been that parents are not holding up their end of the bargain in this ongoing process of education.

It is not unique for me to know children whose parents or relatives are addicted to drugs, in street gangs or in prison. How does one effectively deal with that in 17 one-hour lessons?

To date, I have not seen any alternatives that equal the impact of the DARE program. What makes DARE effective is that it is taught by a police officer who has the credibility to deliver such a dynamic message.

DARE cannot be evaluated solely on written statistical documentation. Rather, it must be viewed as an additional layer of psychological protection for our children.

If we are so superficial as a society to put a price tag on drug and gang prevention for our children, then I can assure you that DARE is worth every penny. It is far more inexpensive (and rewarding) to educate them now as opposed to institutionalizing them later.

OFFICER FRANK CARUSO

Garden Grove Police Department

DARE Unit