Multiple Choice Test

"Every youngster should have the opportunity to grow-up healthy, safe, secure, and equipped with the skills needed to succeed in life. Contemporary America, however, is rampant with challenges that could keep children from a positive life path."

Question: The above quote is attributable to what organization?

A: The National Center for Education Reform

B: Alliance for Health Reform

C: National Center for Youth

D: National Education Association

E: American Association for Affirmative Action

F: None of the Above


CORRECT ANSWER: F) None of the Above

The above quote was, in fact, taken from the D.A.R.E (Druge Abuse Resistance Education) website. The failed D.A.R.E. program, with its catchy, but entirely unhelpful slogan "Just Say No," has cost American taxpayers millions and millions of dollars over the past 20 years, and continues to somehow persist as a constant reminder of President Reagan's ill conceived, reactionary, propoganda machine infamously known as the "War on Drugs."

What I find interesting is that the above quote, perhaps accidentally, highlights the many reasons that we desperately need afforable health care, education reform (including higher teachers' pay), increased funding for public after school programs, and reasonable affirmative action programs in college admissions.

However, while we do have a National D.A.R.E. Day (April 14, 2005 / declared by President Bush), we unfortunately do not have an Affordable Health Care Day or Public Education Reform Day. Clearly, when it comes to improving the lives of impoverished, disadvantaged youth, we do not have our priorities in order.

Many of you reading this post have probably experienced the D.A.R.E program. I don't know about you, but my D.A.R.E. lessons essentially consisted of 1) a nervous police officer (probably resentful of the fact that he was assigned D.A.R.E. responsibility) yammering about how drugs will ruin your life; 2) the presentation of a display case containing a virtual buffet of illegal drugs, which was supposed to somehow make us detest drugs but, in actuality, only served to heighten our interest in these odd, fascinating substances (what exactly is unappealing about a leafy, green, herbal substance?); 3) a video presentation of various celebrities (ie. Eric Estrada or Evander Holyfield) explaining how we will all lose our minds if we ever so much as touch a drug.

Today, our public schools are suffering. Working class families can't afford to purchase prescription medication for their children. Teachers are underpaid and forced to rule over absurdly large classes. Affluent, white families are removing their children from public schools at an alarming rate, serving only to further alienate inner city youth.

And all we can do is preach, "Just Say No" to drugs. "Children of the world, if you just steer clear of drugs, your lives will turn out perfectly.....you'll ride unicorns down chocolate covered rainbows into an ocean of money and respect."

We are failing are youth, and all we can say is "put down that joint" or "don't get pregnant."

We are teaching our children policies of absolute intolerance when it comes to drug use and sexual activity, and yet WE continue to absolutely tolerate the abominable conditions of our deteriorating education and health care systems.

Do something about it. I DARE you.