    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 15 (Monday, April 17, 2000)]
    [Pages 806-807]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 7291--National D.A.R.E. Day, 2000

    April 12, 2000

    By the President of the United States

    of America

    A Proclamation

        Children face many challenges in today's complex society. Peer
    pressure to abuse drugs and alcohol; negative influences in films,
    music, television, and videos; school violence; gang activities; fear
    and low self-esteem--any or all of these pressures can lead young people
    to make unwise choices that can jeopardize their future and even their
    lives. Since 1983, however, there has been a strong positive influence
    in the lives of America's children that is helping them to navigate
    safely through these dangers and

    [[Page 807]]

    uncertainties: Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.).
        D.A.R.E. was developed jointly by the Los Angeles Police Department
    and the Los Angeles Unified School District and continues to draw its
    strength from partnerships among law enforcement officials, schools,
    parents, and communities. Under the program, specially trained police
    officers conduct classroom lessons designed to teach children from
    kindergarten through the 12th grade how to make healthy choices,
    overcome negative influences, avoid destructive behavior, and resist the
    lure of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
        The D.A.R.E. curriculum has several components designed to meet the
    changing needs of students as they mature. From the visitation program
    for children in kindergarten and the early elementary school years to
    the core curriculum for highly vulnerable fifth and sixth graders to
    reinforcement programs for middle school, junior high, and senior high
    students, D.A.R.E. helps young people of all ages develop the skills and
    self-confidence to recognize and resist negative influences. And this
    year, D.A.R.E. has pledged to use a specialized curriculum to reach out
    to thousands of parents and help them talk to their children about
    drugs.
        My Administration is also taking forceful measures to help our young
    people make the decision to reject drugs. We are continuing to expand
    the unprecedented National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign in order to
    change the attitudes of an entire generation of young people; a campaign
    that is working across all race, gender, grade level, and income lines.
    The campaign is already paying dividends for American families: studies
    show that growing numbers of parents are talking to their children about
    the dangers of drug use, and youth drug use is down 13 percent in just
    one year. We have also expanded the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program
    and the Drug-Free Communities program.
        Through efforts like these and the commitment of programs like
    D.A.R.E., we can ensure that America's children have the skills, self-
    esteem, and guidance they need to reject substance abuse and violence
    and to create for themselves a bright and healthy future.
         Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton,  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 13,
    2000, as National D.A.R.E. Day. I call upon our youth, parents,
    educators, and all the people of the United States to observe this day
    with appropriate programs and activities.
         In Witness Whereof,  I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day
    of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the Independence
    of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fourth.
                                                William J. Clinton

    [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., April 19,
    2000]

     Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on
    April 20.