FUNDING WASN'T CUT FOR DARE PROGRAMS

The Sept. 5 Tribune article "Incumbent faces former undersheriff in
Crawford County" by Anne Jungen contained incorrect information
regarding the DARE program.

In the article, Crawford County Sheriff Bob Ostrander was quoted as
saying, "The county board voted to discontinue the DARE program after
federal funding was eliminated."

I believe it's important to correct the fact that local, county and
state "Safe and Drug Free Schools" federal funding for DARE programs
in Wisconsin has not been eliminated.

In reality, any Wisconsin law enforcement agency and school district
providing DARE prevention education to elementary, middle school or
high school students may submit a waiver to the Wisconsin Department
of Public Instruction and if properly submitted that law enforcement
agency will receive federal funding from the Wisconsin Department of
Public Instruction through "Safe and Drug-Free Schools" funds.

It is true that federal funding for "Safe and Drug-Free Schools" in
Wisconsin and other states has been reduced 22 percent by the U.S.
Congress for all prevention education in the 2006-07 school year, but
not eliminated.

DARE is in 70 percent of school districts nationwide and in 47
foreign countries while continuing to expand.