I am writing to ask for community support, or, at the very least, that the decision-makers take a second look at what this program does before any decision is made to end it. This program teaches about drugs and their side effects, and the students also discuss peer pressure and how to, with confidence, turn away from the negative peer pressure they will surely be confronted with in the future.

With that said, I have to say that the most important thing that happens throughout this program is that the students begin to build a trusting relationship with a community leader in working with a deputy. Often times, this may be the only positive connection students will have with a police officer.

As Mr. Hunter stated in his article, “Those who made the decision to cancel the DARE program should have first attended a DARE graduation to see for themselves the sense of pride and accomplishment displayed on the face of a child after he/she pledged to live a life free from drugs and violence.�

For my students, I would be very sorry to see this program end. To those making this decision, please reconsider.

— Rose McManama, Thousand Oaks