Dare to Keep Kids off D.A.R.E.
It's happening again.
Every year, without parental knowledge or consent, schools across the country set out on a mission to 'educate' our children about drugs and alcohol.
Last night, again, Laurel hassled Greg about drinking a beer. A beer. One. One beer. I knew this was coming because last week she brought home a pamphlet expounding on the evils of drugs and alcohol. "Here we go again," I thought. "The proselytizers are at it again." I disagreed with much of the packet but was not given the option to refuse the education. Now it is up to me to go back and reverse everything Laurel was taught this year. Again. I spent much of the ride into school this morning doing just that.
When I was a kid, the Gideons came to school and handed out bibles to all the students. I didn't really think anything of it at the time -- to me it was fun to get free stuff. It's not like I ever sat down and really read it outside of church. However, I see now that it's offensive and would scream bloody murder if the Gideons paid Laurel a visit because it is unfair to preach to impressionable children who may hold different views. Some would say I'm intolerant of their beliefs. Not so. I just expect them to refrain from shoving their beliefs onto my family, as I refrain from shoving mine onto theirs.
Anyway. Back to D.A.R.E. and programs like it.
Greg and I take what we feel is a pretty reasonable view toward drugs, especially alcohol. Alcohol is legal. It is a social drink. It's been around for millennia and came here with the first European settlers of our country. Few civilizations have been strangers to alcohol, its uses, and its abuses. I have personally witnessed its abuses and believe me, if anyone is sensitive to the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, I am. But I will be damned if I'm going to have my kid telling people I drink too much because I have a couple of beers on Friday night. I've had to tell her what happens to families when kids say that kind of thing to the wrong person outside the family, not knowing what 'drinking too much' is. I am not going to have a visit from the Division of Family Services because of some asinine 'drug-free education program' that rejects reality in favor of sensationalism.
For example, look at the D.A.R.E. entry for alcohol. To quote, "Low to moderate doses of alcohol can also increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including domestic violence and child abuse." Are you kidding me? This type of rhetoric is more damaging than alcohol. THIS has Laurel fearing for us when we have a glass of wine or a bottle of beer. This is outrageous. D.A.R.E. and similar programs take the irresponsible path of failing to explain that adult social alcohol consumption, in moderation, is both legal and morally okay. In fact, it is legal in Missouri for me to provide intoxicating beverages to my children. Would I? Not right now, other than a sip if Laurel is curious. Will I in the future? Perhaps, in the proper, responsible context.
I am angry that I would have to sign a permission slip for my daughter to see a movie with the word 'shit' in it at school but I do not have to sign a permission slip for her to attend these teetotalism seminars. Only in the United States do we have such a rod up our collective ass for alcohol. Thank you, zealots who perpetuate these myths and laud these types of programs. Thank you for closing your mind to reality and making my job as parent more difficult as I clean up the mess you've made of my child's previously reasonable beliefs. Thank you for taking up classroom time, already at a premium, with your scare tactics and spookfests.
And government? Consider allowing us to opt out of these programs and -- where alcohol and drug education is concerned -- educate our youth in the manner we see fit.
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