I was forced to participate in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program in the late 80’s/early 90’s when I was in school. I didn’t know why I didn’t like it at the time, but realize now that it just seemed like a propaganda dog and pony show to me. The D.A.R.E. officer would come in and tell stories about fighting people that were high on angel dust, would tell us to stay away from marijuana because it will inevitably lead to us using needles almost overnight, and then would take us out to the parking lot to show off the ‘D.A.R.E. mobile.’
I vividly remember one of my friends speaking out during one of the program meetings, and he was sent to the Principal’s office. He didn’t get in too much trouble, but it was obvious that any question asking, and certainly any criticisms, would not be tolerated. Something like that happened recently in Kansas, where an eleven year old boy spoke out during a D.A.R.E. meeting, stating that what they were saying about marijuana was not accurate. The boy’s mother had successfully used medical marijuana to treat her Crohn’s Disease. Below is what happened next, via the Human Solution:
As Shona’s son listened to the misinformation given by authorities to his class during the drug education presentation, he courageously spoke up and informed them that the information they were relating was incorrect in regards to cannabis. He was pulled from class and sent to the office for questioning by authorities without his mother present.
When he failed to return home from school, Banda contacted the school only to be told that her son had be detained by authorities. She went to the station, where she was informed that she was not being detained, but that they were obtaining a search warrant on her home and that she would not be permitted to enter the residence until the search was executed.
During the raid, authorities confiscated an alleged mere 2 ounces of cannabis flower and 1 ounce of cannabis oil. Banda has yet to be charged and was able to go home after the raid. Shona had a hearing, which seemed to be going her way until the judge spoke up about how many charges she was going to be facing as a result of the raid on her home. It was recommended that her son be placed into the custody of her ex, the boy’s father.
This example displays what’s wrong with drug abuse education in schools, and highlights just how far some are willing to go to keep marijuana prohibition in place. Authorities felt that it is better to detain an innocent kid, arrest his mom, and rip him from his home than admit that marijuana is not that bad. Fortunately the kid is going to his dad’s house instead of being put into a foster home, but the experience is still traumatic for him I’m sure. I’m hopeful that he is returned home sooner than later, and that people rally around his mom and support her during her judicial proceedings.
