DARE OFFICER UNIQUELY QUALIFIED, INFORMS STUDENTS

It should come as no surprise that there is a serious pattern of drug and
alcohol abuse among the youth of this country.

The extent of the problem, when translated into hard numbers, is sobering.

According to a 2000 study conducted by the University of Michigan, at least
half of all youth have tried illicit drugs, alcohol, or tobacco by the time
they finish high school.

Many of these students have developed a pattern of regular substance abuse.

One out of every four graduating high school seniors use an illicit
substance on a current or past month basis.

One in five use marijuana regularly.

Almost one-third of graduating seniors gets drunk regularly.

Three of every 10 graduating seniors smoke cigarettes.

The DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Program) attempts to address this serious
threat to the health and future of young people.

Dan Futia is the DARE officer working for the Green River Police Department.

Futia goes into classrooms and conducts lessons to help youngsters make
informed decisions about the danger of drug use.

He believes it's important to reach these students early on.

Accordingly, he visits classes as low as the fourth grade.

"We set a foundation of knowledge in elementary school so kids can respond
appropriately ... in confident, respectful and assertive ways," he said.

Why are law enforcement officers chosen to teach these skills?

An information kit published by The University of Akron Institute for
Health and Social Policy cites several reasons for this approach.

"DARE officers have many characteristics that make them ideal drug
prevention professionals. They are selected specifically based on
attributes that make them effective in the classroom ... they receive
extensive instruction in how to deliver the curriculum ... and they are
given release time from their other duties to deliver the curriculum."

According to the kit, classroom teachers are devoting their full effort to
their teaching duties and do not have time to focus on drug education.

Additionally, law enforcement professionals have a unique perspective. They
have seen the results of drug abuse first hand.

By listening to an experienced law enforcement officer, someone who has
been out there and seen how drugs and alcohol destroys lives, kids take the
message seriously.

According to Futia there is another definition for DARE.

"We teach the student to define the problem, assess the choices, respond --
make a choice using the facts and information they've learned and then
evaluate the decision," he explained.

Wes Lintz, senior field foreman for BP America is impressed with the DARE
program.

"We raised five boys, and fortunately, none of them got involved with
(drugs). But we attended a presentation by a DARE officer and I was just
floored," he said.

As an employer, Lintz understands the importance of being able to hire drug
free workers.

"We can't hire people who are doing drugs. This (DARE) is a great place to
spend money," he said.

A new curriculum, funded by a $13 million grant from the Robert Wood
Foundation was introduced the year before last and the results are
encouraging, according to Futia.

The University of Akron's study indicated that in year three of the study
"... students continued to have improved scores on normative beliefs and
refusal skills and improved scores on consequences related to substance use
compared to those attending schools in the control condition."

Truly, the DARE program is a great place to spend money.

For more information visit the DARE website at www.dare.com or call
1-800-223-DARE.