KENTUCKY'S LONGEST-SERVING DARE OFFICER ENDS 18 YEARS OF TEACHING

FORT MITCHELL --Kentucky's longest-serving D.A.R.E. officer has worked for
the program nearly as long as he's been a police officer -- 18 years.

Fort Mitchell Police Officer Roy Taylor kept teaching the anti-drug and
alcohol program because he loves working with kids.

"It took over my life. It's just something that I really enjoy doing," he
said. "Working with kids is great."

He was a little reluctant at first, after a co-worker volunteered him for
the program in 1988.

"I went to the training, kicking and screaming, so to speak. Didn't think
that I wanted to be a teacher," he said. "And I ended up loving it."

The 10-week D.A.R.E. program is taught annually in 75 percent of U.S.
school districts. Police officers teach the classes once a week at middle
schools, where teenagers learn tactics to avoid using drugs and alcohol.

Taylor has taught D.A.R.E. at Beechwood, Blessed Sacrament, Guardian Angel
and St. Augustine.

The job has given him the chance to connect with other programs across the
country. In 1993 he led a local fundraiser for a sister D.A.R.E. program in
Iowa whose town was damaged by floods.

But, Taylor said, the best part has been the kids.

"I've been lucky; I've been very fortunate to have good kids in the class,"
he said.

Former students frequently tell him years later how the program helped them
avoid drugs and alcohol. But, he said, not every one is a success story.

"To say that we don't have a problem now and then? We'd be stupid to say
that," he said. "Because every community, every economic group, every race:
it crosses all boundaries when it comes to drugs and violence."

Taylor is also the School Resource Officer for Beechwood schools.

"He does a great job for us," said Superintendent Fred Bassett. "He's
developed a great relationship with our students. We're very happy to have
had Roy work for us for so long."

Taylor, a police officer since 1985, plans to retire before the end of the
year as a result of an on-the-job injury in January. Last fall's D.A.R.E.
program was his last.

He'll miss the kids, parents and teachers -- and the city of Fort Mitchell,
which he said has always supported D.A.R.E.

"If it wasn't for the cooperation of the city and the schools and the
police department, there wouldn't be a D.A.R.E. program," he said. "And if
(parents) don't reinforce it at home, it's not gonna succeed."