DISTRICT SEEKS TO MAKE DRUG PROGRAM OPTIONAL

Developments In Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino And Ventura Counties

SANTA ANA--School officials want to turn their anti-drug DARE program into
a voluntary after-school activity, a move likely to dramatically cut
participation.

John Palacio, president of the Santa Ana Unified School District board,
said trustees support the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, but they
want fifth- and sixth-grade students, who now attend hour long DARE classes
each week, to spend their entire day on academics. "DARE needs to be
balanced between the academic priorities," he said.

Founded jointly by Los Angeles police and schools 13 years ago, DARE has
grown into the leading juvenile anti-drug effort in the country, with
programs in more than 5,000 communities.

But many experts say there are better ways to keep children from abusing
drugs--such as providing more supervision and good role models and making
sure they are engaged in constructive activities.

A study this year by the state legislative analyst's office found DARE did
not keep children from using drugs.

In fact, it found that suburban youngsters who took DARE were more likely
than others to drink, smoke and take drugs. "There's tremendous amount of
money invested in DARE with very little evidence it works," said James Alan
Fox, dean of the Northeastern University College of Criminal Justice in
Boston. Despite the negative reports, California is giving DARE $1 million
this year to expand the program into higher grade levels.

This marks the first time since 1996 the state has funded DARE. Under the
program, law enforcement agencies send trained officers to elementary and
junior high schools to teach them about drugs and gangs and how to resist
peer pressure.

The officers use guidebooks and teaching plans the national DARE
organization has developed.

The program serves about 14,000 students a year in Orange County.