SHERIFF CANDIDATES HOLD DIFFERING APPROACHES FOR DARE PROGRAM

The Two Candidates for Sheriff in Henderson County Have Different
Views on How They Would Treat a Drug Resistance Program If They Are Elected.

DARE, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, teaches fifth
grade students the dangers of smoking, alcohol and drugs. Some
parents say they have heard Rick Davis plans to scrap the program if
elected, but the Republican nominee says the claim is false.

He said Tuesday that the DARE curriculum would be kept 100 percent intact.

"The curriculum should be expanded," Davis said.

As for DARE camp and DARE dances, Davis said there are many rumors
floating around about those programs' demise.

"So many rumors begin during election season," Davis said. "We are
doing a holistic view of the Sheriff's Office and all of the programs
offered need to be looked at."

Davis said that if he is elected he would be reviewing every program
and every dollar spent on them.

"When it comes to something outside of the DARE curriculum, it will
be part of what is being reviewed, and nothing is a sacred cow and
can avoid possibly being cut," he said.

Davis said that in regard to all of the programs at the Sheriff's
Department he didn't foresee any huge changes if he were elected.

"You have to remember this is the eleventh hour of political
desperation," he said. "People on my opponent's side will say things.
I am surprised the election has gone this far without things being
said or done."

Democrat Sam Selph said that if he is elected, DARE and all of the
programs related to DARE would remain the same, if not expanded.

"I think DARE camp gives the children of Henderson County something
to look forward to," Selph said.

Selph said the DARE program needs to remain in the schools and that
the program needs to be updated.

"With the drug problem in this town, including methamphetamine,
cocaine and marijuana, we need to update the program to discuss
prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals," Selph said. "It is my firm
belief that we need to keep our children aware of the drugs and the
problems they create."

Selph said that if the DARE programs were taken away, the children of
Henderson County may be more likely to get involved in gangs or drug
activities.

"The Sheriff's Department can do a lot to raise money to keep DARE
intact," he said. "I feel the department needs to do more -- like
raise money for battered women, the Meals on Wheels program and the
animal shelter."

Selph said he has talked with current Sheriff's Department officers
who are willing to do fundraising and that the sentiment is something
which needs to be taken advantage of.

"I believe anytime we can educate our kids on the problems drugs can
cause, we need to do that -- and not cut programs that do it," Selph said.