For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 9, 2003
National D.A.R.E. Day, 2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Drugs destroy the hopes, dreams, and the health of our children,
and we must continue to work to reduce drug use among America's young
people. Today we honor Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.), the
most widely recognized substance abuse and violence prevention
curriculum in America. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of this
important program, we recognize D.A.R.E.'s proud record of helping
millions of young people lead productive, drug-free, and violence-free
lives, and reaffirm our commitment to end illegal drug use among our
youth.
D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983 by the Los Angeles Police Department
(LAPD), which faced an overwhelming drug use problem among juveniles
and saw the need for a program to educate children and young adults
about the destructive realities of substance abuse. Teaming with the
Los Angeles Unified School District, the LAPD sent specially trained
police officers into classrooms to teach middle school students how to
resist peer pressure and make positive decisions. Since that beginning
20 years ago, D.A.R.E. has grown to reach 36 million students in more
than 300,000 classrooms in the United States and around the world.
Today, D.A.R.E. programs are taught in 80 percent of our Nation's
school districts.
D.A.R.E.'s in-school curriculum focuses on giving children
practical skills to avoid becoming involved in drugs, gangs, and
violence. D.A.R.E. officers serve as supportive role models and
encourage young people to develop healthy self-esteem. D.A.R.E. also
helps young people in the critical after-school hours through D.A.R.E.
P.L.U.S. (Play and Learn Under Supervision), a follow-up program that
serves as a safe and fun alternative to the local streets. D.A.R.E.
P.L.U.S. is designed to encourage middle school students to start
taking responsibility for their actions and to engage in activities
other than drug use.
One of the core principles of my National Drug Control Strategy is
to stop drug use before it starts, and D.A.R.E. and D.A.R.E. P.L.U.S.
play an important role in my community-based approach. Through these
programs, parents, educators, law enforcement officials, and other
caring citizens are joining together in a collaborative fight against
illegal drugs. However, we have more to do to reduce illegal drug use
among America's youth. The most effective way to reduce the supply of
drugs is to reduce the demand, and I am confident that we can help
accomplish this goal through a focus on effective, family-centered
education and prevention.
Toward this end, I have proposed the creation of a Parents Drug
Corps to educate and train parents to lead the effort in preventing
drug use among children and teens. In addition, I have asked the
Congress to support millions of parents and concerned citizens in
communities nationwide by
doubling funding for the Drug-Free Communities Support Program.
These new efforts will complement our ongoing work to surround our most
vulnerable children with caring adults who can offer support, guidance,
and encouragement.
As we honor the dedicated individuals whose extraordinary efforts
make D.A.R.E. work, we resolve to continue to help young people avoid
the dangers of drug use and violence. By helping to ensure that all
our children are educated and supported by positive and caring role
models, we contribute to a promising future that offers hope and
opportunity for all.
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 10, 2003, as
National D.A.R.E. Day. I call upon all the people of the United
States, particularly our youth, parents, and educators, to observe this
day by joining the fight against drugs in our communities. I also
encourage our citizens to express appreciation for the law enforcement
officers, volunteers, and others who work to help young people avoid
the dangers of drug use.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth
day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-seventh.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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