WAYNESBORO MAY REJOIN D.A.R.E.

WAYNESBORO - Waynesboro police officers may begin participating in
the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program again. The
last time a Waynesboro officer instructed the course was in May 1994.

"We definitely could use the help," Washington Township Police Chief
Barry Keller said.

Waynesboro Police Chief Ray Shultz will meet with Keller and two
Waynesboro officers - Travis Carbaugh and Michael Broas - Monday
morning. Keller said Carbaugh and Broas will receive an overview of
the program and their duties. Keller will also answer any questions
the officers may have.

Washington Township currently has five officers participating in the
program. They include Keller, Cpl. Lloyd Perkins and officers Michael
McGovern, James Prohaska and Christopher Krause.

D.A.R.E.

Drug Abuse Resistance Education has been offered in the Waynesboro
Area School District's elementary schools since 1988. It began in
1983 in Los Angeles and is currently taught in 75 percent of the
nation's school districts and in more than 43 countries worldwide,
according to the organization's Web site. The program is designed to
give kids the skills to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs and violence.

Keller said 10 consecutive sessions teach children about different
types of drugs, bullies and safety issues that have occurred since
the school shooting in Columbine, Colo., and terrorist attacks.

To graduate from the course, Keller said the students have to be
present and participate. They also have to write a paper detailing
what they have learned and how they can put it to use.

A new middle school program for seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders
is entitled "Take Charge of Your Life." It was implemented in 2003
and focuses on decision-making skills and emphasizes that drug use is
socially inappropriate. With the new program - offered to
eighth-graders at Waynesboro Area Middle School - students are able
to see - via brain imagery - tangible proof of how substances
diminish mental activity, emotions, coordination and movement.

Each D.A.R.E. officer must undergo 80 hours of training to become
familiar with the new curriculum and teaching children different
aspects of safety in today's society such as the Internet.

Funding

Keller said the sessions are held every year at WAMS and Mowrey,
Fairview and Summitview elementary schools. Hooverville Elementary
and St. Andrew Catholic School are small enough to be held every other
year.

The program is funded by grant money from the Pennsylvania Commission
on Crime and Delinquency, community donations and municipality
contributions. He said the grant varies from year to year depending
on how many schools the officers teach in and how much the state is
willing to release. Waynesboro received $11,805 this year in grant
money. Local municipalities in the district including Waynesboro,
Washington Township, Mont Alto and Quincy Township contribute money
each year.

"The amount is based on the number of students enrolled in the
elementary schools," Keller said.

Borough Manager Lloyd Hamberger said the borough contributed $1,650
last year and that number is "relatively consistent."

The funds go toward the officers' salaries, course materials and
gifts such as pencils and T-shirts for the students.

Keller said if Waynesboro participates, it will help them save some
manpower.

"We're certainly looking forward to having them involved again," he
added.