Pubdate: Tue, 15 Jun 1999
Date: 06/15/1999
Source: Orange County Register (CA)
Author: John Boag
Note: Original: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99.n646.a11.html

Alan Bock's article,"Do we DARE say it?"[Commentary,June 13],hopefully
will stimulate some much-needed public debate concerning the
effectiveness of the DARE program.

As a full-time father of two recent DARE graduates, I feel that I have
firsthand knowledge of this well-intentioned but flawed program to
keep children from using drugs.

In my area, the program is conducted by the Huntington Beach Police
Department; therefore, I must be careful not to knock the police off
their DARE rocking horse for fear of suffering the wrath of City Hall,
which does not permit criticism of city employees.

May I be so bold as to suggest that I, as a parent and the person most
responsible, be allowed to teach my children about drugs at the
appropriate time and place best suited for their particular situation
and ask the state nannies to butt out?

John Boag,
Huntington Beach