Pubdate: Sun, 04 May 2003
Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette (WI)
Copyright: 2003 Green Bay Press-Gazette
Contact:  http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/879
Author: Matt LeBeau

DARE MESSAGE FALLS ON DEAF EARS

GREEN BAY - I was greatly intrigued upon reading that a Brown County 
officer was selected as Wisconsin's DARE Officer of the Year. Ironically, 
this comes just days after the Press-Gazette's news partner, WFRV-TV, 
reported that a new study shows DARE isn't as successful as previously thought.

The DARE program doesn't take into account that kids are just plain 
curious. Someday they will expose themselves to people who use drugs or 
have used drugs in the past. When adolescents get into trouble with drugs, 
quite frankly, the DARE program won't be there for them because of the 
misinformation presented.

At the high school level, students need to hear the pitfalls associated 
with long-term drug addiction from former junkies - not some sugarcoated 
"Drugs are bad," or "You shouldn't do drugs" type of message.

Matt LeBeau
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MAP posted-by: Beth