D.A.R.E. OUT AT TWO SCHOOLS

While some question the effectiveness of the Drug Abuse Resistance
Education program in elementary schools, everyone agrees it does
strengthen the relationship between youth and police officers.

This year, for the first time in several years, the D.A.R.E. program
won't be offered in all of Dickson County's elementary schools.

Fifth graders at White Bluff Elementary School and Charlotte
Elementary School won't have the program due to a manpower shortage at
the Dickson County Sheriff's Office.

With only 30 officers patrolling 500 square miles and answering 20,000
calls yearly, Sheriff Tom Wall said he has to prioritize.

"It's a matter of priorities. The county has grown so much, I simply
can't afford to put an officer in the school, because we have to focus
on being proactive and homeland security," Wall said.

Wall added that officers volunteer to teach the program on their days
off.

"I can't order them to work on their days off," he said.

Ernestine Adams, project director for the D.A.R.E. program and
elementary education supervisor, said the school system has a $4,025
grant to pay the officers to teach the program.

Dickson Police Officers David Cole, Todd Christian, Seth Lyles and
Paul McCallister are teaching classes this year at the other
elementary schools in the county.

But they can't cover all the schools.

"We hate not having it. It does seem like an awfully good program. If
nothing else, the kids get to view the police officer as a friend, as
someone they can trust. This is the first time in several years we
won't have the program," said Kenneth Kerns, principal at White Bluff
Elementary School.

Kerns said he understood the constraints with which the sheriff's
office must work.

"I know with the budget problems, they've got to be real careful,"
Kerns said.

Charlotte Elementary School Principal Malissa Johnson feels the same
way as Kerns.

"We were disappointed that our fifth graders will miss out on that
opportunity. I think the program sends a strong message to our
children, not only to refrain from the use of drugs or alcohol, but
because the kids get to know the police officers as friends," Johnson
said.

"The police officers always do so much more than D.A.R.E., they take
time to counsel many of our children, even though that's not part of
the program. We hope that in the future there will be the resources
for all the schools," Johnson added.

While Wall agreed that the D.A.R.E. program, which was created in Los
Angeles by then Police Chief Daryl Gates in 1983, helps build trust
between the officers and the children, he doubts the program is as
effective as some claim.

"I can only speak to national statistics that show it does not make
any difference. I don't think we have ever run any statistics in
Dickson County," Wall said.

Wall added he does not agree with statements some make, such as "if it
keeps one kid off drugs, spending $100,000 is worth it."

"That's a crazy argument. You have to be responsible. If it shows in
the end it's helpful=85but so far that hasn't been the case. All stats
say D.A.R.E. hasn't made a difference among seniors. I can't say
that's true in Dickson County, though."

Dickson Police Chief Rick Chandler said there are some law enforcement
organizations that have become disgruntled with D.A.R.E.

"Some departments are upset with dealing with the setting of
re-certification dates. Sometimes those are set at a time when it
becomes economically unfeasible. But I do think the best thing the
program does is build a relationship. It helps the kids see that
officers are human just like they are," Chandler said.

"I also understand there's a group of kids that, no matter what,
they'll be good, while there's another group that, no matter what,
they'll be bad. We just try to influence them on the front end," the
chief said.

Overall, Chandler said he believes the program is effective.

"The kids pick up something from every class," he said.

The schools can't do everything though, Chandler pointed out.

For example, in a recent meeting with some high school students, the
chief recalled one student who talked about "getting high with her
mother. Some kids are just dragged from pillar to post=85"

Chandler, who is also chairman of the Dickson County Board of
Education, said he understood the manpower shortage the sheriff's
office faces.

"They have a wide area to maintain. We're lucky we do have some
officers who can do it," the chief said.