[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 118, 108th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Proclamation 7768 of 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 im

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portance 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

PROCLAMATION 7769--APR. 8, 2004