DARE OFFICERS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT REACHING STUDENTS

Even as they boosted self-esteems and trumpeted anti-drug messages, Drug
Abuse Resistance Education watched more than a third of Wichita Falls
school children slip from its grasp.

But this fall, classrooms will get double-DAREd.

For the first time since the DARE program came to Wichita Falls in 1991,
two DARE officers will roam city schools. Three-year DARE Officer Kristine
Holub said they hope to leave no child untaught.

"It's - on paper - working. Once we get out and get to test drive it, we'll
see," she said, gesturing to Officer Brian Masterson, who will attend his
two-week DARE officer training school this month.

A fresh class of police academy graduates freed up more city officers for
community policing work, Holub said.

"Now that they've got some new guys hitting the streets, it opened up,"
Masterson said, who had applied for the job previously before the new
position was erased because of a manpower shortage.

DARE officers like Holub have stood in front of American schoolchildren for
nearly 20 years, spouting a blend of hard facts about drug use and sharing
techniques for refusing drugs through role- playing exercises.

Holub said her goals are simple, especially in a city that's seen multiple
gang-related shootings and activity during recent weeks.

"One bad kid doesn't mean the whole world's going under. One kid we can
save, that's a big accomplishment. And, there are tons we'll get," she said.

During its history, the DARE program's curriculum has changed very little,
Holub said. Textbook illustrations have updated clothing and hairstyles.
The mascot changed from Yogi Bear to Daren the DARE Lion, but the message
has remained the same.

Updates in the curriculum are coming though, Holub said. She wasn't sure
what changes were in store, but she guessed they would make DARE's message
more modern and address party drugs such as Ecstasy.

Officers won't change their policy of teaching class in their uniform.
Masterson said it's a visual way to remind children what officers have
experienced.

"We've seen these bad things here on the streets," he said, himself a
five-year patrol officer. "We can explain to kids the difference (between
drug users and non users) because we've actually been out there and seen them."

Besides that message, Holub said children get used to the uniform and lose
their fear of it. Instead of balking at her, she said children run up and
hug her.

Masterson agreed.

"I think it's opened up these kids to police officers in general. They're
just not afraid to come up and ask you questions," he said.

Having more students interacting with DARE officers would be a boon to
schools, said Wichita Falls Independent School District Public Information
Officer Renae Murphy.

"I think it's a need that would be greatly appreciated to be filled. With
one officer, all the students weren't able to receive attention in all
schools," she said. "If they can get that message out to everyone on a
yearly basis, it's just that much more effective."

Masterson said he's eager to attend his class to become a DARE officer,
though Holub said it's the hardest school she's ever attended, including
schools on homicides and crime scene investigations.

"You know that brick wall you put up? That tough exterior? Well, this helps
break it down some," she said.

Despite the challenges of the school, Holub told Masterson he'd have one of
the best police jobs in the city when he returned.

"It's humbling, but those kids out there have more opportunities than we
ever did," she said. "If we can just keep them headed in the right
direction, there's nothing in the world they can't do."