    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 15 (Monday, April 15, 2002)]
    [Pages 610-611]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 7539--National D.A.R.E. Day, 2002

    April 10, 2002

    By the President of the United States

    of America

    A Proclamation

        Illegal drugs are the enemy of ambition and hope, destroying
    individual lives and undermining the health of our communities. In
    addition to the tragic consequences of drug use for Americans and their
    families, the drug trade supports terrorist networks that threaten our
    country and our allies around the world. When we fight the war on drugs,
    we also fight the war on terror.
        The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) curriculum plays an
    important role in helping our young people understand the many reasons
    to avoid drugs. D.A.R.E. is a series of lessons, taught by specially-

    [[Page 611]]

    trained police officers, that encourages students to live healthy, drug-
    free lives. According to the University of Akron Institute for Health
    and Social Policy, the program operates in 80 percent of our school
    districts, reaching 26 million young people in America each year. In
    addition to promoting the right decisions about drugs, D.A.R.E. helps
    build relationships among parents, teachers, law enforcement officers,
    and others interested in preventing drug use in their communities.
        My Administration is committed to keeping the fight against drugs
    among our Nation's top priorities. I have proposed new goals for our
    country, including a 10 percent reduction in teenage and adult drug use
    over the next 2 years, and a 25 percent reduction over 5 years. My
    National Drug Control Strategy is a community-based approach,
    incorporating three core principles: (1) stopping drug use before it
    starts; (2) healing America's drug users; and (3) disrupting the market
    for drugs in our country. In addition, my 2003 budget proposes $19.2
    billion for drug control. This includes $3.8 billion for drug treatment
    and research, an increase of more than 6 percent over 2002.
        Drugs attack everything that is best about our country, robbing
    Americans, young and old, and their families of dignity and character.
    Today, we recognize D.A.R.E. as a critical part in our effort to teach
    young people how to avoid drug use and the devastating effects that
    drugs can inflict upon their health and on their future.
        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 11, 2002, as
    National D.A.R.E. Day. I call upon youth, parents, educators, and all
    Americans to observe this day by joining the fight against drugs in your
    communities. I also encourage our citizens to express appreciation for
    the law enforcement officers, volunteers, and others who work to help
    young people avoid the dangers of drug use.
        In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of
    April, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independence
    of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.
                                                    George W. Bush

    [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:47 a.m., April 11,
    2002]

    Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on April
    12.