MICHAEL LIEN

Regional Director

DARE America

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - An letter by Gerold E. Cole titled "Thompson for sheriff" falsely stated DARE is "outdated and unresponsive." DARE is in 75 percent of U.S. schools and 43 foreign countries and this year is our 25th anniversary.

DARE is in a constant state of revision/evaluation with new elementary (2003), middle school (2008), K-4, high school curricula. Annually, DARE has added enhancement lessons/community presentations addressing current youth topics: i.e., bullying; Rx and OTC prescription drugs; internet safety/cyber bullying; methamphetamine; role models and gangs. Complimenting the curricula is a fidelity ladled two week DARE Officers Training.

To be recognized, prevention education must be science-based, evidence-based and effective. DARE, the most studied and evaluated prevention education program in the world, is identified as a program that works while it's science, evidence-based and effective. Further, evaluations have identified DARE's classroom delivery system as most effective.

DARE hosts three advisory boards. One such, the Law Enforcement Executive Advisory Board, with Sheriff Ted Kamatchus, Marshall County Sheriff's Office, Marshalltown, the immediate past president of the National Sheriff's Association and DEA 2008 DARE Law Enforcement Executive of the Year as a member.

DARE is current, timely, cutting edge and responsive to our law enforcement and education constituents, most importantly our kids.