CITY TO KEEP SCHOOL OFFICER

D.A.R.E. Program Funding Remains In Port Huron Budget

Despite fears that Port Huron's schools would go without a Drug Abuse
Resistance Education program, the city is paying for someone to
oversee it through at least the next school year.

Mayor Brian Moeller said the City Council did not cut any of the
personnel positions from the police department for the current fiscal year.

"The D.A.R.E. officer will be there for at least another year," Moeller said.

The D.A.R.E. program serves fifth-graders by teaching children how to
resist drugs, gangs and violence. Earlier this year, the program was
in jeopardy in Port Huron.

The City Council had cut funding for the position but later restored
it citing fairness to the students who had not yet completed the program.

Police Chief Donald Porrett said the D.A.R.E. program is a benefit
for the city's children.

"We are very happy it was funded," he said. "We had a lot of
community support when the fear was it would lose funding."

Moeller and Porrett said there are mixed reviews of D.A.R.E., which
is a nationwide program, from different studies.

Porrett said some statistics show it is worth the resources and other
say it isn't. In Port Huron, though, he said it works well.

"It has served us well over the years," he said. "We think it is very
important. We believe it is a good program."

Moeller also said some "studies show there is no real benefit to it."
But Moeller, a former police officer, said it is a great tool for the
local department.

"There are pros and cons to the D.A.R.E. program," he said. "I think
it is probably one of the best public relations tool for the police department.

"If you save one kid from going on drugs, is it a success? I would say yes."

Even then, Moeller said the D.A.R.E. officer's position is one that
could be filled with a regular officer, which is something that must
be weighed in the budget process.

"You have to make a choice," he said. "What is more important: public
relations or public safety?"