The
D.A.R.E. program was started by a group of Los
Angeles police officers and schoolteachers who
were concerned
about kids taking drugs. These drugs were destroying
kids' lives. The police officers and schoolteachers
joined forces and launched D.A.R.E. to teach kids
about the dangers of drugs and violence, and how
to protect themselves from it. The police wanted
to steer kids away from dangerous drugs and help
them make smart choices, like playing sports and
starting hobbies instead of using drugs and hanging
out on the streets. D.A.R.E. was born in
Los Angeles, California in 1983 and now is taught
in all 50 states in the U.S., as well as in 53
countries. All in all, the D.A.R.E. program will
reach 50 million children around the world this
year alone.
A
Proclamation by the President of the United States of
America
Across
America, law enforcement officers, volunteers, parents,
and teachers are helping to send the right message to
our Nation's youth about illegal drugs and violence
through the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.)
Program. On National D.A.R.E. Day, we express our gratitude
for the important work of these individuals and reaffirm
our commitment to ensuring that every child has an opportunity
for a bright and hopeful future.
For
over two decades, D.A.R.E. programs have taught our
Nation's young people about the dangers of drug use
and encouraged them to lead productive, drug free, and
violence free lives. Police officers and all those involved
in D.A.R.E. help save lives by opening the lines of
communication between law enforcement and our young
people to better enable them to make the right choices.
In a culture in which bad influences and temptations
are all too present, these soldiers in the armies
of compassion are fostering a culture of responsibility
among young people.
My
Administration will continue to stand with families
and communities to combat the dangers of drugs and violence.
In my State of the Union Address, I announced a new
initiative called Helping America's Youth to help ensure
a successful future for young Americans. Led by First
Lady Laura Bush, this initiative is educating parents
and communities on the importance of positive youth
development and is supporting organizations, including
faith based and community groups, who are helping young
people to overcome the risks they face. We also support
random student drug testing as a prevention tool, and
we are helping educate young people about the dangers
of illicit drug use through the National Youth Anti-Drug
Media Campaign and Drug Free Communities Program.
The
decisions our children make today will affect their
health and character for the rest of their lives. By
giving them the tools they need to make the right choices,
D.A.R.E. programs help prepare our Nation's young people
for the promising future our Nation holds for each of
them.
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 14, 2005, as National D.A.R.E.
Day. I call upon Americans, particularly our youth,
to help fight drug use in our communities, and I urge
our citizens to show their appreciation for the law
enforcement officials, volunteers, teachers, health
care professionals, and all those who dedicate themselves
to helping our children avoid drugs and violence.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth
day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand five,
and of the Independence of the United States of America
the two hundred and twenty ninth.
George
W. Bush
For
any questions regarding the Negaunee D.A.R.E. program
contact Chief Jay Frusti at 475-4154 or email
your question.
erned
about kids taking drugs. These drugs were destroying
kids' lives. The police officers and schoolteachers
joined forces and launched D.A.R.E. to teach kids
about the dangers of drugs and violence, and how
to protect themselves from it. The police wanted
to steer kids away from dangerous drugs and help
them make smart choices, like playing sports and
starting hobbies instead of using drugs and hanging
out on the streets. D.A.R.E. was born in
Los Angeles, California in 1983 and now is taught
in all 50 states in the U.S., as well as in 53
countries. All in all, the D.A.R.E. program will
reach 50 million children around the world this
year alone.
