For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 7, 2004
National D.A.R.E. Day 2004
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) is one of the most
widely recognized substance abuse and violence prevention programs in
America. For more than 20 years, D.A.R.E. has brought specially
trained police officers into classrooms to teach students about the
importance of making healthy choices. These efforts have helped reduce
illegal drug use in our country, but there remains work to be done.
Drug abuse costs people their health and robs them of their
promise. A critical component of stopping illegal drug use is cutting
the demand for drugs, and D.A.R.E. is an important part of expanding
these efforts. By introducing students to local police officers and
teaching them to become good citizens, D.A.R.E. also strengthens
communities.
To help prevent illegal drug use, my National Drug Control Strategy
includes the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign; support for
drug-free community coalitions; and $25 million for student drug
testing. Our hard work is showing results. Youth drug use declined 11
percent between 2001 and 2003, meaning that 400,000 fewer young people
used drugs.
As we educate young people about the dangers of illegal drugs, we
are also helping to heal those who have fallen into addiction and
working to disrupt the market for illegal drugs. The collaborative
efforts of concerned citizens and officials at the Federal, State, and
local levels are making our neighborhoods safer and our children
healthier.
We will continue to work toward a society in which all citizens are
free from the devastating influence of drugs. Law enforcement
officials, community leaders, faith-based groups, parents, teachers,
and programs like D.A.R.E. are all working to achieve this goal.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States
of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 8, 2004, as
National D.A.R.E. Day. I call upon our youth, parents, educators, and
all Americans to join in the effort to reduce drug use by expressing
appreciation for the health care professionals, law enforcement
officials, volunteers, teachers, and all those who help young people
avoid the dangers of illegal drugs and violence.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of
April, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-eighth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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