I am a Boy Scout in Sandy, and I have recently read an article on Mayor Anderson wanting to stop the DARE program in grades beyond five and six.
In sixth grade, I had the DARE program. I really liked it. It helps stop kids from taking drugs because it tells the consequences of drugs such as problems in families and about becoming addicted and needing more. They told us ways to say no. They also told us how to avoid bullies.
I think it is best to do DARE during school because a lot of kids wouldn't get to hear it after school or in the summer. DARE has been very successful at preventing drug use in youths. Drug use in youths has declined by 13 percent in the past while. In Cedar City, they have continued DARE in later grades, and drug use there in youths is well below the national average.
I think the DARE program should be continued and that Mayor Anderson leave it in the older grades.
James Palmer
Sandy