MARK DARE AND GREAT ABSENT FOR NOW

Discussions are planned, though, on alternatives for police programs
that likely will miss this school year.

For the first time in a decade, Saginaw police won't visit classrooms
to teach youngsters about drug abuse.

School administrators say they have not yet discussed alternatives to
replacing the Drug Abuse Resistance Education and Gang Abuse
Resistance Education and Training curriculums police dropped because
of budget constraints. Both programs cost a combined $220,000.

"I would imagine once the school year (gets going), we will sit down
and decide what to do," said Michael B. Manley, a schools spokesman.

Police Chief Donald F. Pussehl Jr. reassigned DARE and GREAT officers
to patrol duties. Nineteen fewer officers are on the streets than
there were a year ago.

The police complement is now 134 officers, compared with more than 220
in the 1970s.

The budget of $12.22 million is down from last year's $14.10 million -
a 13 percent shift.

Other revenues, such as grants, also have decreased by nearly 8
percent.

Manley said teachers will continue to address drug abuse and youth
gang concerns under the Michigan Model, a health education program
from the state.

"The advantage we have seen in the (DARE and GREAT) programs is the
fact that it does bring police into the schools. It does give students
a chance to see them in an instructional, helping role," Manley said.

Saginaw police began teaching DARE to fifth-graders in 1990 and GREAT
to seventh-graders in 1997.

Officer Patricia A. Snow, the department's certified GREAT instructor,
said she has sought private money to continue the training.

Financial assistance, however, probably won't arrive in time for this
school year, said Assistant Chief Thomas J. McGarrity.

The department need about $100,000 to pay wages for GREAT and about
$120,000 for DARE, he said. The money would cover wages for two
officers for each program, McGarrity said. The amount does not include
student supplies, such as handbooks, instructor materials, T-shirts
and other items.

"We're diligent in our efforts to find funding for the DARE and GREAT
programs," he said.

"The allegiances and bonds formed between patrol officers and children
carry on for years."

Saginaw Township students will continue DARE classes in six elementary
and two parochial schools, said Detective Lt. Gary P. Grauf. The
township program began in 1993.

One officer each semester visits with students, he said. When the
officer is not teaching DARE, he or she works as a resource officer at
White Pine Middle School, Grauf said.

A federal DARE grant ended in 1997, but the Police Department and
schools have continued to split costs, Grauf said.

He said he's aware of DARE critics, who in recent years have pointed
to surveys of students who claim the anti-drug messages never sunk
in.

"Certainly, it's a program that introduces the kids to the police," he
said, "and we've seen a lot of newfound respect among youngsters
because of that."