I've read letters over the last few weeks criticizing the DARE program. This program was an enormous benefit to the children of Simi Valley.

Aside from the obvious benefit of helping kids avoid using drugs, the program was probably the only opportunity most kids had to develop a positive relationship with a member of our police force.

I believe this helps kids develop into adults who respect laws and those charged with enforcing them, and ultimately this helps keep our community safe. The officers who ran the DARE program clearly enjoyed the time they spent with the kids and worked hard to develop personal relationships with as many of them as possible.

When my son, now in high school, participated in the program as a sixth-grader, Officer Anderson would join the kids for lunch before the DARE class. This was a highlight of the week for the kids. Since then, I've noticed how many teenagers approach Officer Anderson to say hello when he attends high school events.

One can't measure the importance of this through collecting statistics.

Prior to ending the funding for this program, City Council should have interviewed teenagers who had the opportunity to participate in the DARE program.

My own personal survey of the ones I know indicates they feel the program was beneficial and feel that younger kids who won't have the opportunity to participate in DARE will be missing out on something important. Cheryl Mee Simi Valley