Pubdate: Tue, 07 Jan 2003 Source: Long Beach Press-Telegram (CA) Copyright: 2003 Los Angeles Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.ptconnect.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/244 Author: Christine Kirchner Note: Title by MAP Editor D.A.R.E. SHOULD NOT REPLACE PARENTS Tom Stewart (president, D.A.R.E. Board of Directors) stated in his letter on Dec. 29 that he is responsible for educating our children on the dangers of drugs. What about their parents? Aren't they the ones responsible for educating their children? When did you take that responsibility? Why should I pay for you to educate other children? It's the parents' responsibility, Mr. Stewart, not your government-funded, which is taxpayer-funded, organization. By the way, why should I pay for the D.A.R.E. program when it has not shown to significantly help reduce the number of people who use drugs? I believe that the parents are the ones who are the role models and the ones who convince their children that drugs are not the way to lead one's life. Christine Kirchner Long Beach - --- MAP posted-by: Beth