    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 15 (Monday, April 14, 2003)]
    [Pages 423-424]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 7661--National D.A.R.E. Day, 2003

     April 9, 2003

     By the President of the United States

     of America

     A Proclamation

        Drugs destroy the hopes, dreams, and the health of our children, and
    we must continue to work to reduce drug use among America's young
    people. Today we honor Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.), the
    most widely recognized substance abuse and violence prevention
    curriculum in America. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of this
    important program, we recognize D.A.R.E.'s proud record of helping
    millions of young people lead productive, drug-free, and violence-free
    lives, and reaffirm our commitment to end illegal drug use among our
    youth.
        D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983 by the Los Angeles Police Department
    (LAPD), which faced an overwhelming drug use problem among juveniles and
    saw the need for a program to educate children and young adults about
    the destructive realities of substance abuse. Teaming with the Los
    Angeles Unified School District, the LAPD sent specially trained police
    officers into classrooms to teach middle school students how to resist
    peer pressure and make positive decisions. Since that beginning 20 years
    ago, D.A.R.E. has grown to reach 36 million students in more than
    300,000 classrooms in the United States and around the world. Today,
    D.A.R.E. programs are taught in 80 percent of our Nation's school
    districts.
        D.A.R.E.'s in-school curriculum focuses on giving children practical
    skills to avoid becoming involved in drugs, gangs, and violence.
    D.A.R.E. officers serve as supportive role models and encourage young
    people to develop healthy self-esteem. D.A.R.E. also helps young people
    in the critical after-school hours through D.A.R.E. P.L.U.S. (Play and
    Learn Under Supervision), a follow-up program that serves as a safe and
    fun alternative to the local streets. D.A.R.E. P.L.U.S. is designed to
    encourage middle school students to start taking responsibility for
    their actions and to engage in activities other than drug use.
        One of the core principles of my National Drug Control Strategy is
    to stop drug use before it starts, and D.A.R.E. and D.A.R.E. P.L.U.S.
    play an important role in my community-based approach. Through these
    programs, parents, educators, law enforcement officials, and other
    caring citizens are joining together in a collaborative fight against
    illegal drugs. However, we have more to do to reduce illegal drug use
    among America's youth. The most effective way to reduce the supply of
    drugs is to reduce the demand, and I am confident that we can help
    accomplish this goal through a focus on effective, family-centered
    education and prevention.
        Toward this end, I have proposed the creation of a Parents Drug
    Corps to educate and train parents to lead the effort in preventing drug
    use among children and teens. In addition, I have asked the Congress to
    support millions of parents and concerned citizens in communities
    nationwide by doubling funding for the Drug-Free Communities Support
    Program. These new efforts will complement our ongoing work to surround
    our most vulnerable children with caring adults who can offer support,
    guidance, and encouragement.
        As we honor the dedicated individuals whose extraordinary efforts
    make D.A.R.E. work, we resolve to continue to help young people avoid
    the dangers of drug use and violence. By helping to ensure that all our
    children are educated and supported by positive and caring role models,
    we contribute to a promising future that offers hope and opportunity for
    all.
        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 10, 2003, as
    National D.A.R.E. Day. I call upon all the people of the United States,
    particularly our youth, parents, and educators, to observe this day by
    joining the fight against drugs in our 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.

    [[Page 424]]

        In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of
    April, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
    seventh.
                                                    George W. Bush

     [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:24 a.m., April 10,
    2003]

    Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on April
    11.