LOWER BURRELL PATROLMAN NAMED STATE'S TOP DARE OFFICER

The best police officer in the state at helping children steer clear
of drugs and alcohol works right here.

Lower Burrell Patrolman John Marhefka has been named the Drug
Awareness and Resistance Education Officer of the Year.

Marhefka is in his 12th year of teaching drug and alcohol awareness
classes. The Vandergrift native is the 21st officer of the year
selected by the state's DARE officer's association.

"This is someone who obviously likes his work," said Lower Burrell
Police Chief Tracy Lindo, himself a longtime DARE instructor. "He has
a confidence level and gets along with the students. You can't fool
the kids."

"John puts his heart and soul into this," Mayor Don Kinosz said.
Helping youngsters "pays dividends that are just unbelievable," he
said.

Burrell School Superintendent Shannon Wagner said Marhefka's work is
"very significant."

DARE stresses character development as well as warning students about
drug and alcohol abuse.

"We can teach people to read and write and do math," Wagner said, "but
if they are not well-rounded, we're not doing a good job."

Wagner said students say that Marhefka is "really concerned. They see
him in a different light, and police are nothing to be afraid of."

He even has some graduates stop by when he is mowing the grass to say
hello.

Marhefka "stood out head and shoulders above other DARE instructors,"
said Jack Killian, a state DARE official and Berks County detective.

Killian, who was the state's top DARE officer in 1994, said more than
1,000 DARE officers work in the state. About 15,000 DARE programs
operate across the nation, and the program is in 41 other countries.

Killian said other officers of the year have come from North
Huntington, Whitehall and Pleasant Hills, but not from the Alle-Kiski
Valley.

Last year, Marhefka interacted with more than 700 Burrell students
from kindergarten through high school students.

On Tuesday, for example, Marhefka and Lindo were giving DARE talks to
sixth-graders at Huston Middle School.

Marhefka takes part in the district's family fun nights and often eats
lunch or takes part in recess with students, Lindo said.

In between classes and school assignments, Marhefka continues to
handle routine patrol calls.

"It's an edge to get to know the kids who we see while out on patrol,"
the chief said. "And they're not dealing with us in a negative way."

Marhefka believes drug and alcohol awareness should be taught early,
but police and teachers must follow up.

"DARE isn't a catch-all, but it's a priceless interaction," he said.

Marhefka's interaction with the district likely will continue on a new
level next year: he's a candidate for school board and should earn a
seat unless there is a successful write-in challenger. The program is
largely paid for by Lower Burrell taxpayers. Area businesses contribute.

"We can't do this without mayor and council support," Lindo said.

Both officers like the continuous reinforcement from kindergarten
through middle and high school, and a national DARE official concurs.

"Kids need 'inoculated' and they need to be 'reinoculated,'" said
James McGivney, a retired federal drug agent who is DARE America's
regional coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic states.