DARE a solid program that lacked money
The following is a Counterpoint column:
By ASHLEY CAMPBELL
DARE being taken out of schools should not be commended on any level. Guilford County Sheriff BJ Barnes did not take DARE out of schools willingly. The amount of funds that were given to him by the county commissioners was not sufficient to continue the program. I know that if there were any way for Sheriff Barnes to keep the DARE program in schools, he would have done so in a heartbeat.
I am part of the Guilford County Sheriff's Office Explorer Post 592. I have talked with the deputies who taught DARE in schools, and they are the most thoughtful and caring people you will ever meet. They are like extended family to me, and they have a special place in my heart. One of the officers said that she wanted to cry when she found out the program had been canceled. One of the deputies I had the privilege of getting to know was the original DARE officer. When the program was canceled, I could only think that all he had worked for was being taken away from him.
While working with the deputies this summer during Safe County, I have seen children run up to the officers and hug them and tell them what fun they had in the DARE program and that they have learned so much. I also remember my own DARE officer, who is now retired but whose memory will be with me forever.
I felt like my DARE officer was a person who I could talk to if I had a problem and know for sure that he could give me advice. I still remember all the things I learned in DARE and use them in my daily life. When I took part in the program, there was no patronizing. The pictures that were shown were only to illustrate to students the results of bad decisions and drug use. These pictures were not meant to frighten children, and the officers explained the pictures.
I will not argue that some children may not have taken anything from the program, but the fact is most of the children learned at least one thing in the program, and that is better than not learning anything at all.
Getting to know all of these officers has made DARE feel even more important to me. I am not the only person influenced positively by DARE; there are many more students and adults who feel the same way I do.
The writer is a student at Southeast Middle School.
Comments (2)
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Ashley, I am glad that you are in support of the DARE program and gained from it.
However, as an adult who pays taxes that pay the salary of the officers who "teach" this program, I am not pleased to be paying a law enforcement officer to "teach" instead of "to protect and serve." This also deals with the idea of having "resource officers" in schools.
If we held those accountable who bring children into the world, there would be no need for DARE officers or Resource officers.
If society held these "parents" accountable, society would be better than where we now find it.
Shalom
Posted on September 4, 2007 9:43 AM
This brings to what? 42? the number of letters and counterpoints from officers, staff, teachers, and students assuring us that DARE has kept thousands from a life of drug addiction and moral decay.
Point 1: Enough already.
Point 2: All 42 are wrong. The program simply doesn't work, despite the delusions of those who believe it does. The research is in. Some programs work, and this one does not. Deal with it.
Posted on September 4, 2007 1:27 PM