cannabisnews.com: Bring Back DARE, Cops Urge





Bring Back DARE, Cops Urge
Posted by FoM on December 30, 2000 at 09:25:05 PT
By Michael Vigh
Source: Salt Lake Tribune 
Utah police officers who received awards Thursday for outstanding work with schoolchildren in the DARE program blasted Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson for dismantling the controversial drug-abatement curriculum in the state's largest city.The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program is the most widely used drug education course in America. But earlier this year, Anderson -- citing studies that concluded DARE does little to stop student drinking or drug abuse -- pulled the plug on funding for the program.
Defenders of DARE say it not only teaches children to say "No," but also forges positive relationships between police and students that last a lifetime.And officers who were honored "for exemplary work with youth as DARE officers" Thursday criticized Anderson's decision to deprive nearly 10,000 Salt Lake City students of the drug-prevention curriculum."It's detrimental to children," said Clinton police Officer Todd Kelly, who teaches DARE to 1,500 students. "I don't think it was right at all. Luckily, I have a mayor and city council who supports the program and fully funds it."Clinton Mayor DeMar Mitchell credits the curriculum with low rates of crime and drug abuse among the city's students. He said children in Clinton enjoy DARE and would be disappointed if it was scrapped."When we heard that Anderson was going to get rid of the program we thought, 'this can't be,' " Mitchell recalled. "The results are sometimes difficult to measure, but they are there."The program is a 17-year-old brainchild of former Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates. DARE -- in which police are dispatched to middle and junior high schools -- reaches more than 30 million children in 10,000 American cities and 49 foreign countries. It came to Utah's public schools in 1987.Today, almost half the state's public and private schools have implemented the course, which provides a promotional tool for police.But, Anderson believes DARE is a "fraud" and has said in its place, he prefers two alternatives: "Students Taught Awareness and Resistance" and "Athletes Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids."Orem police Officer Dan Rodriguez speaks fluent Spanish and teaches the DARE lessons to Latino children. He said DARE can create the only positive interaction at-risk children have with police officers."A police department cannot just enforce the law; we would be jailing 40 million people," said Rodriguez, who was honored for helping minority children. "We need to teach prevention and DARE is one of the most effective ways to do that." untries. It came to Utah's public schools in 1987.Added Murray police Officer Keith Huber: "I'd like to see Salt Lake City go back to DARE immediately. I love the kids and DARE helps them, that's why I'm involved."Source: Salt Lake Tribune (UT)Author: Michael VighPublished: December 30, 2000Copyright: 2000 The Salt Lake TribuneAddress: 143 S Main, Salt Lake City UT 84111Fax: (801) 257-8950Contact: letters sltrib.comWebsite: http://www.sltrib.com/Forum: http://www.sltrib.com/tribtalk/Related Articles:Mayor, Drug Czar Debate Merits of DARE Programhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7960.shtmlAnderson Calls DARE A Fraudhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/6/thread6139.shtmlCannabisNews DARE Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/DARE.shtmlCannabisNews Articles - Mayor Rocky Andersonhttp://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=Rocky+Anderson
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Comment #12 posted by dddd on January 01, 2001 at 01:19:06 PT
truth or dare
I like your balanced viewpoint Stripey.It's true,everyone is entitled to their opinion.But if those with an opinion,are allowed to force it upon our kids,then those with oposing opinions should be given equal time.Here are some new programs that we should have;H.A.R.E....Hypocritical Asshole Resistance EducationC.A.R.E...Constitution Abuse Realization EducationR.A.R.E...Radical Authoritarian Resistance EducationD.A.R.E...Drugs Arn't Really Evil
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Comment #11 posted by Stripey on January 01, 2001 at 00:41:27 PT
Cops. . .
God. What a mess. The cops want the cake jobs teaching lies to schoolkids. . . Hell, so would I! I think though, that DARE also ought to teach kids that alcohol is dangerous also. . . I remember, a long time ago, when I was a DARE student, that although we identified alcohol as a drug, we were told, "Don't drink and drive," Not "Don't drink." I don't mind anti's. Really.If they think drugs are bad, more power to them. They have an opinion, and I respect that.If they think marijuana is bad, and then go have a beer, I have MAJOR issues with that. No cop that's ever tipped a cold one should be allowed to teach DARE. I bet that quite a few are drinkers. Goddamned hippocrites. They never tell you that Alcohol is worse than marijuana. They never tell you that the wrong dosage of diet medication can put you into a coma for the rest of your life.They never tell you that you're more likely to die as a result of sheet metal falling off of a DC-10 than a MJ overdose.Ignorance is a disease, too.Too bad medijuana can't fix it as well . . . well, not directly. =)
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Comment #10 posted by kaptinemo on December 31, 2000 at 14:17:52 PT:
The main gist of this article?
Simply that when piggies used to getting second helpings above their usual fare find it being cut off, they squeal extra loud.They can perform all the rationalizing they care to. They will squeal about how this 'endangers' children. About how this program is 'effective'. Even when you wave the reports under their noses, proving the ineffectiveness of their pet program, they'll just continue to ignore a rational voice and try to play for the heartstrings...just like they always have. But true to Lincolns Dictum about not being able to fool all of the people all of the time, the antis are learning that their stale old propaganda couldn't last forever. What people used to accept uncritically they are now demanding proof - especially when it comes to tax dollars.The extra helpings from the gravy train are at an end. Get used to it, narks.
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Comment #9 posted by aocp on December 31, 2000 at 13:35:29 PT:
What a bunch of hot air
>Utah police officers who received awards Thursday for outstanding work with schoolchildren in the DARE program blasted Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson for dismantling the controversial drug-abatement curriculum in the state's largest city.Forbid they should have to get *real* jobs. Maybe even get after violent criminals. Why do these cops think they're qualified in any way to speak on the subject of illicits? I'd leave that job to doctors and pharmacists.>Defenders of DARE say it not only teaches children to say "No," but also forges positive relationships between police and students that last a lifetime.And yet the evidence is there to show how this is none other than the infamous "wrong".>And officers who were honored "for exemplary work with youth as DARE officers" Thursday criticized Anderson's decision to deprive nearly 10,000 Salt Lake City students of the drug-prevention curriculum.Back to getting a real job, etc.>Clinton Mayor DeMar Mitchell credits the curriculum with low rates of crime and drug abuse among the city's students. He said children in Clinton enjoy DARE and would be disappointed if it was scrapped.What age groups are we talking about here? If you're only talking about 5th graders, you're probably right. As the students get older, i'd say your unanimous conclusions are a bit far-fetched.>"When we heard that Anderson was going to get rid of the program we thought, 'this can't be,' " Mitchell recalled. "The results are sometimes difficult to measure, but they are there."Say what? "And i have here in my hand the names of confirmed Communists here in our very own government!" I'm sure spooked.>The program is a 17-year-old brainchild of former Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates.Great. As i recall hearing, gates was the one that also said that pot smokers should be shot on sight, as they're criminals and such should be their fate. Real even-keeled, this guy.>DARE -- in which police are dispatched to middle and junior high schools -- reaches more than 30 million children in 10,000 American cities and 49 foreign countries. It came toUtah's public schools in 1987.I have this great shirt that reads, "D.A.R.E. - I turned in my parents and all I got was this lousy t-shirt." Man, that family relationship must really take a backseat to the necessary relationship between the kids and police snoop. Yecch.>Added Murray police Officer Keith Huber: "I'd like to see Salt Lake City go back to DARE immediately. I love the kids and DARE helps them, that's why I'm involved."Awwwwww ... that's so cute 'n cuddly. *What* an emotional knee jerk. I saw a poster in a classroom at a school i was subbing at a few weeks ago. It has two hands wringing some green, leafy material with this black sludge coming from it. There's this grim reaper fellow below, standing all-menacing like over all these decaying skeletons. The top headline reads: Marijuana Kills! It has some BS at the bottom about how MJ has this many carcinogens of cancer-causing agents and then the obligatory: Don't Smoke It!That is the kind of hysteria dare agents try to push on our children. These people are quite simply ... not nice.
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Comment #8 posted by Nate H. on December 31, 2000 at 10:06:04 PT
DARE
I suspect that the real reason police officers like DARE has less to do with a "cult-like fascist mindset" than the fact that teaching kids about dope is a far easier gig than arresting violent street criminals.Spending time in a classroom is far more enjoyable and less dangerous than spending time in a cruiser, after all.In a similiar vein, another reason cops love the drug war is that petty busts add up to lots of overtime. Cops who make "collars" are expected to testify in court, which means lots of overtime pay at the taxpayer's expense.Nate H.Toronto, ON 
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Comment #7 posted by Frank on December 31, 2000 at 08:03:29 PT
DARE is a Fraud
"A police department cannot just enforce the law; we would be jailing 40 million people," said Rodriguez Two million already in prison is a good start and if the police have their way they will get the rest of 38 million remaining.The police have no business in a classroom as an example for the youth. Most have a long history of violence and many have unstable personalities. There have been studies made of the applicants for police positions. About 95% of the applicants have no business on a police force and the only gun they should have is a rubber one. 
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Comment #6 posted by IEATPOO on December 31, 2000 at 00:26:50 PT
DARE to eat your own poop
One time I smoked a turd I found in a public restroom. It tasted like shit.
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Comment #5 posted by Fuhn2Toke on December 31, 2000 at 00:23:25 PT:
DARE is useless...
I'll come right out and say it. I smoke pot. I love it. It, however is not for everyone. DARE is a useless program. I took it three years ago, and tried pot for the first time last summer. I loved it. I am friends with a DARE officer. She is a pretty cool cop. She was even the one who taught the course. The worst part of dare is that they don't tell you all the facts. Most of it is actually outdated propaganda. They should tell you the bad and the good points to using certain drugs. Then they should let you decide. Some people have such horrible lives that they feel that their only options are to use drugs. I have done studdies on my own before I decided to become a regular pot smoker (2-8 times a month. I however, will never do anything other illegal drug, because of my findings. I learned and remember practically nothing from DARE. Sure, I avoided drugs a little while...hell, they scared me shitless; but sometimes they should not treat kids like worthless pieces of merchandise whose purpose is to work for a hypocritical, bias government. Thanks for reading my opinion.
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Comment #4 posted by mungojelly on December 30, 2000 at 19:01:30 PT:
DARE does "little" to stop drug abuse
"...studies that concluded DARE does little to stop student drinking or drug abuse..." -- actually what they showed was that DARE did absolutely nothing to stop/reduce drinking or drug abuse. As a DARE graduate, I have little trouble believing that to be the case; what I remember from my DARE training is extensive roleplaying of just exactly how to "say no to drugs" (hint: it involves saying "no"). Well Mr DARE Officer Sir, when I was first offered marijuana a number of years after taking your little course, I knew quite well how to say "no" -- although I suspect I might have been able to figure it out myself -- but instead I chose to say "yes." I guess you failed to convince me that there was any reason not to experience this herb which God beneficently provided for us... other than, of course, your confused desire to put me into prison. DARE is lousy propoganda to be sure, but IMHO that's preferable to effective propoganda. 
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Comment #3 posted by dddd on December 30, 2000 at 13:52:03 PT
the other side
 Gotta say "right on",to Robbie and JRs' comments. I also believe DARE is an intrusive,hitler youth type program. Many people who love DARE ,are heavily influenced by the extra money.I like Robbies' "why dont you do it for free"...I think it's quite clear that the war on drugs,would not even exsist,if it wasnt for the money. So here's the other side;.............There are people,,,who are cops,who are actually good,concerned,honest people.I'd say they are in the minority,but they are there.Most cops probably start honest and ethical,but the nature of the job,and the influence it has,makes you ripe for going the way of a soldier type,state of mind..........anyway I feel sorry for some of these cops.They are concerned loving,,caring,,dedicated brainwashed zombies!...And they're not even aware of it.They probably would do it for free,,,they have built their lives on being convinced that the drug war is priority one.They are employed by the government,and from the time they join the force,they are indoctrinated by this military scientologylike fervor,they are made into,,,,,the blue CULT...they are saturated with false crap from the government,they become part of the club...part of the gang....part of the cult!......... What you end up with,is more or less,,, two types of cops.   ;; The first kind is the truly brainwashed,obediant person of integrity.They are the ones who go to the classrooms,and give these presentations to the kids.These sessions could be anything from a "McGruff" puppet show,,to a czar bible natzi seminar On the other end of the spectrum,are all the wayward cops.They are the hardened,obsessed,wanna be military guys.They are so seasoned,and/or mentally unbalanced,that they have grasped onto the power trip,and let it get out of hand........... OK,,,here's what I wanted to say in the first place,it's kinda strange........I always imagine how if a couple things were different in my younger years,I could have ended up becoming a cop.After 5 years or so,I became a DARE guy.I had been so saturated with the"courses"that are required,and ,the mantra for years had been;"drugs are bad,and evil".................I was convinced with a islamic-muslim czar induced fervor,,that illegal drugs,and all who do them,are wrong,and criminal...I'm the first kind of cop.Honest,actually trying to do my best at my job,,,and I do the DARE thing for several years.It's like being a member of a church of DARE.I have become a DARE ,holy roller evangelist.I have boxes of DARE literature,hats,and bumper stickers in my garage. I'm not an evil,or bad person.I've just been taken into this cult,and been brainwashed,and convinced that one of the biggest evils on earth,are illegal drugs.I often quote from 'The Book of czar',in my classes.I have been primed,and bred into taking a fervent,and zealous approach.....I have been made into a true soldier of the drug war....I have been carefully decieved.I am convinced......I see the czar as an inspirational heroe.I believe all they have told me about illegal drugs...... Anyway,,,this is the pawn,I feel sorry for.Hope you didnt mind my spacey,freestyle,semi-coherent,verbose rambling.I'll try to make more sense next time......................gotta split..........................dddd 
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Comment #2 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on December 30, 2000 at 11:37:26 PT
DARE to think for yourself and question authority
>>DARE can create the only positive interaction at-risk children have with police officers.  I think I'd have a lot of positive interactions with my local police force if I wasn't worried about them arresting me for my choice of what I put in my own body. Under prohibition, I (and many of my fellow citizens) try to have as little to do with the police as possible. And no wonder we have negative interactions with the police - we're not the ones who are waging an offensive war!!  Don't forget the pervasive power of propaganda on the propagandists. While most nazis were humbled or repentant by the time they reached the Nuremburg gallows, Julius Streicher, editor of Der Sturmer (the party's most noxious and Jew-baiting newspaper) was the only one to pledge eternal devotion to Der Fuehrer with his dying words...
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Comment #1 posted by Robbie on December 30, 2000 at 09:51:10 PT
DARE to be truthful
>>Added Murray police Officer Keith Huber: "I'd like to see Salt Lake City go back to DARE immediately. I love the kids and DARE helps them, that's why I'm involved."OK cop, if you're so interested in the kids and you're so willing to do what it takes to teach the children well, why don't you do it for free? You already get a substantial salary as a police officer (much more than school teachers, I might add) so why not volunteer your time in the DARE program? When you do that, I'll give you credit for `wanting' to teach the kids.>>Dan Rodriguez...said DARE can create the only positive interaction at-risk children have with police officers.Oh, OK, so you admit that "at-risk" children cannot interact with the police in a positive fashion outside of the mind-control programs at school? So you admit that these "at-risk" children will more than likely be arrested before you spend time with them to help them. There's your true stripe...you can only help if you're paid well.
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