Orrin Hatch: “I share the concerns of other Senators, including Senators D'Amato and Biden, regarding the DARE program. DARE is a…”

“I share the concerns of other Senators, including Senators D'Amato and Biden, regarding the DARE program. DARE is a well-managed law enforcement program that is run by DARE America. DARE is very popular with citizens and police officers across the country. Salt Lake City police chief Ruben Ortega says DARE officers "may be the most visible symbol of drug prevention in our community." The DARE program uses police officers to teach students how to resist pressure to experiment with drugs and alcohol. DARE is taught in 60 percent of America's schools, and involves over 20,000 police officers in all 50 States. Unlike some prevention programs, DARE is truly a grassroots program. Most of its assistance comes in the form of in-kind contributions of personnel and supplies. Less than 1 percent of DARE's budget is direct federal money [$1.85 out of $257 million in fiscal year 1995]. DARE needs that direct support, however, to run its five regional training centers. DARE has been around for years, but recent headlines make the need for it especially clear. Tuesday we learned that drug use among young people has almost doubled in the past 2 years. According to former HEW Secretary Joseph Califano, more young people know that cigarettes are harmful than think marijuana is harmful. That kind of alarming statistic argues for renewed diligence in this area.”