This is in response to Mayor Rocky Anderson's decision to discontinue the DARE program in Salt Lake schools. Our mayor has repeatedly proved and complained that DARE does not statistically decrease drug use. However, I am of the opinion that he is misinterpreting the mission of the DARE program; it is not drug prevention but drug education.
As a youth, I often hear that drugs are "harmful" and "dangerous" but did not understand the specific, unpleasant effects of drug use and ways to "just say no" before being taught by the DARE program. I believe most students, like myself, have had similar positive experiences.
The worst part of this situation is that Mayor Anderson's solutions are anything but good. The Salt Lake City School District has 45 days before the new school year to create a replacement program after using a successful program used in 80 percent of America's public schools. What magic ingredient will this hastily concocted program have to suddenly curb drug use to our mayor's satisfaction? Any alternative program will most likely be nearly identical.
Mayor Anderson, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. If DARE is educating, it's doing its job.
Laws about drug use can always be broken, and statistics don't always fully represent a problem. An educated person's pledge of abstinence is much more enduring and sets a good example for our society.
Brooke Downs
South Jordan