Grateful for DARE program

On Thursday evening Jan. 17, I was honored to attend the Dare Culmination for Arroyo West fifth graders and their families at the beautiful auditorium at Walnut Canyon Elementary School. What an upbeat, positive, exciting event it was.

Mayor Patrick Hunter, Chief of Police Jeff Matson, MUSD Superintendent Ellen Smith, Arroyo West Principal Susan Smith-Stein and of course DARE officer Dep. Chris Love were among those congratulating the students.

The auditorium was packed, the atmosphere was positive and the kids, all wearing their DARE shirts, looked happy and excited while cheering on their friends and classmates.

Dep. Love did a phenomenal job teaching the kids the impact that drugs and alcohol can do and to "just say no."

The DARE program almost did not take place in our school district for the 20072008 school year and we had to really fight for it. Every parent and teacher I talk with feels the DARE program is one that's organized, well thought out and really reaches out to the kids. My son would come home from school every Wednesday and tell my husband and me about the hands on activities they did and what he learned from it.

We need to support and keep programs like this alive in our schools. Read the newspapers, read the Moorpark Acorn and stay in tune with our community. When it's time for our voices to be heard regarding DARE for the 20082009 school year, please get involved. Write letters make phone calls and attend City Council meetings. Aren't our children worth it?

Thanks again to Dep. Chris Love for your diligent hard work and positive impact for the fifth graders at Arroyo West Elementary School. You and the DARE program are greatly appreciated. Stacy Schloetel Moorpark