DARE Day criticism misguided
DARE does not “indoctrinate” kids. DARE empowers kids. The DARE curriculum teaches our keiki that while they are at an age when they can begin making their own decisions, they are also at an age where they have to accept personal responsibility for their decisions. The DARE Decision Making Model shows the kids how to examine a situation, consider their options, determine whether those options will have positive or negative consequences, and then accept responsibility for the option that they have selected. DARE is not just about drugs and alcohol. DARE’s curriculum applies to all facets of life.
DARE Day was a celebration for the kids who successfully completed the program. The kids were given a demonstration of how police can safely apprehend a violent suspect without escalating the violence. The kids were also given a demonstration of how hard firefighters and EMTs work to save lives. The celebration also focused on the kids accepting others and making new friends. It concluded with entertainment, thus reinforcing the fact that positive decisions result in positive results/rewards.
I have dedicated 25 years of my life being a teacher. A teacher’s goal is to educate our kids. Our hopes are that our kids go on to have happy, successful lives. DARE is a program that shows police officers have the same goal and hopes for our keiki.
I would also like to rectify some misinformation that was printed in a letter to WHT regarding DARE Day. There were no “attack” dogs at DARE Day. There was simply a demonstration of a narcotics dog that identified a backpack containing cocaine.
Rob Flemm
Kealakehe Intermediate School
Kailua-Kona