LETTERS: DARE PROMOTES POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS

To the editor:

It is unfortunate that the DARE program is again under fire for failing to prove effectiveness in providing long-term drug resistance skills among its participants.

As Mr. Duncan pointed out in an article in this paper, the 17-session DARE program cannot by itself be expected to compete with the thousands of pro-use messages children and adults are exposed to in this society. These messages come from individuals through their substance-related behaviors, media glamorization and industry advertising. Research has demonstrated that the programs that are successful in preventing unhealthy choices are consistent and comprehensive. These programs are designed to include involvement of the key components of a child's life, including their home, school and social and recreational experiences.

Both the DARE and GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) programs promote a positive relationship between youths and law-enforcement officers and teach life skills that allow for healthy decision making. These represent significant contributions to the overall efforts of successful prevention, which should be everybody's business.

JIM MAGINELCommunity 2000 Prevention Resource CenterSoutheast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau