SOUTH BUTLER SCHOOLS PLAN D.A.R.E PROGRAM

Fifth-graders in the South Butler County School District will become
part of a national drug abuse prevention effort this spring.

The school district has agreed to participate in the Drug Abuse
Resistance Education program, called D.A.R.E, operated by the Butler
County Sheriff's office.

Pupils will be exposed to a curriculum that addresses potential
challenges for adolescents, including drug and alcohol abuse, peer
pressure, self-esteem and bullying, said D.A.R.E. officer Lt. Brian
Karenbauer.

To handle the expanding program, a new deputy is being trained,
Karenbauer said. That officer, Justin Houk, will conduct the South
Butler program.

Even at age 10 or 11, the message of resisting temptation is an
important one, Karenbauer said.

"At that age group, they're going to be faced with this soon enough at
the junior high school," he said.

The D.A.R.E. program began in Los Angeles in 1983 and is now taught in
schools throughout the United States and abroad.

In Butler County, the sheriff's office works with 12 schools, 13
adding South Butler. Karenbauer visits each classroom once a week for
10 weeks.

D.A.R.E. is free to school districts, Karenbauer said. It is financed
with state and local contributions.

Among the local contributions is the D.A.R.E. car, a 1984 Chevy Monte
Carlo Supersport that piques pupil interest more than a standard
police vehicle.

"It helps the kids relate to us," Karenbauer said.

Butler County kids are more aware of opportunities for drug and
alcohol abuse than some might think, Karenbauer said. He believes the
program's message works, letting youngsters know the dangers of making
self-destructive choices. He gives pupils a test before and after each
session. Recently, he found youngsters taking the post test showed a
30 percent increase in drug and alcohol awareness.

"If I can increase their awareness, that's a plus," Karenbauer said.