CITY OF FLUSHING MAY CUT D.A.R.E. PROGRAM

FLUSHING, Michigan - A popular drug education program could be on the
chopping block in the city.

DARE - Drug Abuse Resistance Education - is one of many potential cuts
to the Flushing Police Department, which also include layoffs of
police officers, that Chief Mark Hoornstra is contemplating. The
proposed cuts will be announced in April.

"Officer Eddie" Dolgan now teaches the class to fifth-graders at the
four elementary schools. Dolgan is eligible for retirement and is the
only officer trained to teach the program.

City Manager Dennis Bow said there are options that might allow the
program to survive, in a different format.

"We have a lot of options we can look at, such as changing to a
program to a part-time program" said Bow. "There are a couple of
different programs that are out there."

Assistant Superintendent Michele Blair said although that's not the
best scenario, the district understands the city's financial situation.

Parent Don McCullough of Flushing has two children at Central
Elementary and said it would be a shame if the program is cut.

"To have it reinforced at school, it's a bonus," McCullough said.
"Having a uniformed police officer there is a visual thing, which is
especially beneficial with young kids."

Blair said the district is instituting health and character education
classes that would cover some of the content DARE did.

"Between heath and character education, it will be covered," Blair
said.

This isn't the first time the DARE program was on the ropes. Back in
2004, students, staff and parents protested the possible reduction of
the program, and city officials responded by offering a 0.5-mill
property tax proposal that raised about $120,000 yearly to help
support the program. The millage, a community policing millage, was
renewed by voters in 2007, but will run out this year. It is unknown
if it will be renewed this year.

Parent Lori Tori Gervais, said she believes the school can respond
appropriately if the program is cut.

"I think it might be covered (in other ways by the school)," she
said.

Hoornstra said he is a supporter of the program, but has to set
priorities.

"What it comes down to is how much staff I have and what services can
I provide with what I have," he said.

Hoornstra said the school district is well-equipped to handle the
change if it occurs.

"The schools have a curriculum to address those issues," he
said.

Flushing isn't the only district dropping the program.

Because budget cuts and a lack of training, there are few remaining in
the state.

"The community has been fortunate to have had the DARE program as long
as it has," Hoornstra said.