No reason for DARE scare

There is a great deal of misinformation about the decision to replace the DARE program with another anti-drug program. Some mistakenly believe that this decision reflects a lack of commitment to drug education of our children; nothing could be further from the truth.

Drug education in the schools is not being eliminated. The school district is implementing a new curriculum, "Project Alert", which among other things covers "learning the consequences of using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs" and the social skill sets necessary to prevent children from using drugs and alcohol. Complete information on the program can be found at the district's website, www.mrpk.k12.ca.us.

This new program meets state and federal levels for effectiveness. DARE does not, and as a result DARE is not eligible for federal "Safe and Drug Free School" funds. DARE has been discontinued in a number of jurisdictions and its effectiveness questioned. Drug abuse education will be taught through a broader, more effective program. Curriculum is always changing and updated. The district's program should be given an opportunity to succeed.

"Project Alert" will free up funds to be used for student safety. Since Project Alert is eligible for funds that DARE is not, those funds can be used for a fulltime high school resource officer. The tragedies at schools like Columbine, Virginia Tech and others, show that school violence can happen anywhere in the country. I applaud the district's efforts to promote school safety as articulated by Superintendent Smith in her April 20 letter on the district's website. The fulltime presence of a resource officer will help identify and solve problems early on and will provide an immediate response should a catastrophic situation occur.

The DARE program costs taxpayers approximately $190,000 per year. Both violent and property crimes have increased in the city in the past year. Cars in multiple areas of the city were recently vandalized in a "smash and grab" operation. There has been a proliferation of graffiti throughout the community. The cost of a DARE instructor is equivalent to the cost of an additional police car patrolling the city 40 hours per week, which could be funded with the switch to Project Alert.

No one is abandoning drug education for our children. Drug prevention will continue to be covered in the school district's "Project Alert" program. We owe it to our citizens to use taxpayer resources wisely. We owe it to our children to provide protection on campus and an effective teaching system to combat drug use. With the recent council decision we can do accomplish all these objectives.
Keith Millhouse
Moorpark City Council