[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.