National D.A.R.E. Day, 2002

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Part IV

The President

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

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7539 of April 10, 2002

National D.A.R.E. Day, 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-
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.

(Presidential Sig.)B