SUV MAY BE USED IN DRUG PREVENTION

Lamar County Sheriff Danny Rigel may use a 2000 Cadillac Escalade
seized from a narcotics violator as his new D.A.R.E. vehicle.

"I think it would be a good thing to do to reinforce the message of
the program," Rigel said Wednesday. "It would show kids what's at
stake when you are involved in illegal drugs."

D.A.R.E, which stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, is a
program dedicated to raising drug resistance and awareness among Lamar
County youth.

Rigel recently added the program to the sheriff's department.

But Rigel said he may sell the white SUV with its spinner wheels and
large stereo and video systems at auction.

"I haven't decided yet," Rigel said.

Oak Grove Middle School Principal Ben Burnett likes the idea of using
the SUV for the drug prevention program.

"Children need to start learning early that crime does not pay,"
Burnett said. "At an early stage they start making those choices about
drugs."

Rigel said the luxury SUV was seized before he took office in
January.

Lamar County Administra-tor Sonny Fries said the county paid off a
$9,300 lien on the vehicle from the sheriff's drug forfeiture fund.

Fries said supervisors received a $16,586 bid for the vehicle but
rejected it.

Rigel said if he does not use the vehicle in the D.A.R.E. program, he
will auction it off and use the money to fight illegal drug
trafficking.