SCHOOLS USE DIFFERENT METHODS IN DRUG EDUCATION

The DARE program once was the crown jewel of public schools' anti-drug
education.

But now school systems across the state are faced with new choices
when it comes to drug education.

Recent state and federal funding cuts - coupled with a skepticism over
the program's effectiveness - have forced many counties to cut DARE,
Drug Abuse Resistance Education, from the curriculum. It once was
taught in all 100 counties in the state, but now only 75 use it.

Greene County DARE Officer Caula McFadden has taught the program to
sixth graders for four years. She's seen the program work, and said
that DARE is taught differently now than it used to be.

"The new lessons let (students) be in charge," McFadden said. "We let
them do the talking and we listen."

Greene County Schools Superintendent Steve Mazingo said the county
doesn't plan to cut the program any time soon.

"The way we're doing it is successful," Mazingo said. "It gives the
students knowledge of drugs and avoidance techniques."

Mazingo said DARE is also valuable because it allows children to
interact with and learn to trust police.

McFadden agreed that DARE helps children become less intimidated by
police.

"(Children) see an officer in school helping them instead of locking
them up," McFadden said.

Lenoir County Schools canceled the program years ago. Assistant
Superintendent Terry Cline said budget cuts resulted in the Lenoir
County Sheriff's Office cutting back on officers. Statistics showed
DARE was not working as well as they wanted, Cline said, and the
program was cut before either he or Superintendent John Frossard were
school administrators.

Drug education is taught now through the county's character education
program. The curriculum allows discussion between students and
teachers about concepts such as self-respect and citizenship.

Rita Hodges, Lenoir County Schools curriculum director, said character
education allows students to learn about drug use from kindergarten to
high school - not just in one year of middle school.

"There are suggestions and ideas (in the curriculum) so the teacher
can take them and discuss something at grade level," Hodges said. "The
more exposure kids have, the more kids will remember and gain from
it."

But McFadden thinks it's important for children to meet police. The
interaction can steer them in the right direction.

"When I teach the children, I can tell where they're coming from - and
where they're going," McFadden said.