DARE ADOPTS LION AS ITS MASCOT

The DARE bear is no more. In his place is Daren-the-Lion.

The change came about because of licensing problems, said Bobby Robinson of
the DARE Training Center in Alexandria.

Soon after DARE was founded in Los Angeles in 1980, Robinson said, the
first mascot was the famous Hanna-Barbera pic-a-nic basket lover Yogi Bear.

Yogi served DARE well, Robinson said, but his agents, the cartoon company,
wanted financial compensation for his continued use as spokestoon. DARE
America, the national parent organization, did not feel that the fees were
a good investment of DARE funds.

Luckily, the organization had a friendly ear at Disney, who agreed to
design a mascot for DARE. Disney designed Daren-the-Lion and turned over
all rights to the character to DARE America.

"Daren is a proud and brave symbol who also is kid-friendly," Robinson
said. "The Disney people designed him to appeal to youngsters and help DARE
get its message across."

According to the DARE America Web site, Daren-the-Lion is about to become a
revenue-producing mascot as well. Maestro Toys signed an exclusive
licensing agreement for the manufacture and sale of Daren-the-Lion action
figures.