D.A.R.E. changes to G.R.E.A.T.

PARKERSBURG - After 20 years of daring kids to say no to drugs, the
Parkersburg Police Department now wants to teach area youth to be G.R.E.A.T.

Chief Robert Newell said the department will discontinue its D.A.R.E.
program in favor of the G.R.E.A.T. program. Newell plans to propose
the change to the Wood County Board of Education during a 6:30 p.m.
Monday board meeting at Gihon School.

"He is going to come and do a presentation of what was available,"
said Sue Woodward, director of school improvement and public relations.

The department's D.A.R.E. program has not been active for the last
year because of manpower issues, Newell said. Lt. Scott Morgan, the
D.A.R.E. officer, was needed as a shift supervisor and had to put the
program on hiatus.

Newell said the program switch is the result of D.A.R.E. changing its
curriculum.

"Lt. Morgan has gone to D.A.R.E. conferences each and every year. At
this past conference, they began changing the curriculum. Some of the
older officers are not satisfied with the new curriculum," Newell said.

G.R.E.A.T., which stands for Gang Resistance Education and Training,
better suits the needs of the Parkersburg area, he said. The program
was created by the bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the
Phoenix Police Department. The curriculum will include many of the
subjects covered in D.A.R.E.

"For this area, the curriculum seems to be applicable because it
covers more than just drugs," Newell said.

The program's 13-lesson curriculum covers a variety of topics from
decision-making and peer pressure to anger and the consequences of
fighting.

Morgan will not be the department's G.R.E.A.T. officer. He chose to
remain where he is as a shift supervisor, Newell said. Patrolman Jason
Barton expressed interest in the program and will become the
department's G.R.E.A.T. officer.

Newell said he believes the board of education will be supportive of
the change. He said the D.A.R.E. program was an effective way for the
department and local schools to work together.

G.R.E.A.T. will be equally effective at accomplishing this, he
said.

Woodward said students miss the D.A.R.E. program. The board likely
will be receptive to Newell's presentation and encouraged that the
police department is seeking to continue developing a relationship
with local schools.

"I know our elementary school students miss working with officer
Morgan and the D.A.R.E. program. They've felt the loss," Woodward
said. "I'd say they (the board) would be open to what he (Newell) had
to say. We enjoy a good working relationship with the police
department."