DARE to Admit What Best Serves Our Youth

Re “Police Resistance to Gutting DARE Program Angers Panel,” April 30: Deputy Chief J.I. Davis claims that “DARE has a very positive role.” I defy him to show how graduating from DARE courses results in any lessening of drug use, the stated purpose for the DARE program. DARE supporters have lots of bluster but no facts. Are we funding the wrong programs? Marijuana use among young people in the Netherlands (without DARE) is half that of the U.S.

DARE is much like forfeiture laws, which serve to buy fancy cars and other gadgets but do not reduce drug use. Supporters say that “DARE improves school safety by bringing officers to campuses and is also a valuable officer recruitment tool.” How true. However, schools are to provide a learning environment, not a recruitment site for the police. The 71 DARE officers would serve as better recruitment tools out in the community. The DARE budget should be diverted to treatment programs that have been shown to reduce drug use.

Richard A. Hein

Fullerton