DARE TO CHANGE

This community is known for its involvement in city government and for its
activism and generosity. Recently, the two came together, and the result
was a success.

At the City Council meeting last week, Councilwomen Pam Julien Houchen and
Cathy Green announced that they had collected $21,500 in donations to keep
the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, known as DARE, going.

The two spearheaded an effort to raise money for DARE after the council cut
funding to the program on Dec. 16. It was the fourth and final time in two
years that the program, which sends uniformed police officers into
elementary schools to teach children of the dangers of drugs, was on the
city's chopping block.

When it comes to taxpayers' money and city budgets, every program, every
bit of money spent, every pet project should be examined, and the
effectiveness or necessity questioned.

DARE was questioned repeatedly and, in the end, did not withstand that
scrutiny.

There is no doubt that the motives behind DARE are good. But since the
effectiveness of the program is questionable, it was a wise cut,
considering the $15 million that must now be trimmed from the city's budget.

With that said, we are glad to see those who are so passionate about the
program, those who believe in its value, believe enough to hit the pavement
to save it. The $21,500 was just the beginning, they said. They are not
done fighting, they are not done beating on doors.

That's great. It is a great message to send to the youth of Huntington Beach.

The $21,500 is also not going to last long. Police Chief Kenneth Small said
the nine-week program would cost at least $77,000, although he is willing
to design a scaled-back DARE program for less.

Let DARE prove its worth as a privately funded program and, perhaps in
time, when the economy looks up, it will be considered for city funding
once again.