My letter to the governor!

July 25, 2007

Governor Jennifer M. GranholmP.O. Box 30013Lansing, Michigan 48909

Dear Governor Granholm:

I am a fourteen year old student who is concerned about the spread of drugs among kids and teens. I believe that we need to educate kids sooner in Michigan so that they are not ignorant of the drugs being sold to kids all over the country. I was in D.A.R.E. for a year in fifth grade and I thought that D.A.R.E. was a good program. I also believe that it would have had more of an impact if it was started earlier in my educational career.

Drugs are a major problem in the U.S. today. There are more kids using drugs now than in the 1980’s. Some kids are taking drugs unintentionally because drug dealers are now making drugs that look like candy or energy drink mix. A four year old kid died of an overdose and all I could think was how my parents would feel if I died at such a young age just because some evil person gets kicks from selling drugs to minors. If kids knew about drugs and were educated about them earlier I am sure that the sheer number of people on drugs would decrease.

I am aware that you signed a legislation that would put anybody who sold drugs that caused death would be put up for life imprisonment so I know that you have taken steps to stop the spread of drugs. It is a good start, but I feel that the best way to keep the spread of drugs at bay is to educate kids earlier than the fifth/sixth grade all over Michigan. D.A.R.E. is found in only eighteen of twenty-two Metro Detroit school districts instead of in everyone. If drugs are such an important thing to be aware of, why isn’t it mandatory for all school districts? I also would like D.A.R.E. to start at second or third grade so that even the smaller kids are aware of this danger.

In closing, I would like to say that it is overwhelmingly important that kids of all ages are aware of the spread of drugs and educated earlier about them. Doing this would be great for kids and adults alike and could be seen as the duty of a great leader. The person that took the initiative to make a law about this could become very popular with the public, and even boost the amount of support they have in office. I thank you for your very valuable time, and urge you help future of Michigan while it can still be helped.

Duly concerned,