CLARK TAKES ON NEW ROLE WITH DARE

Robert Clark ss a Sweetwater Police Officer and the DARE (Drug Abuse
Resistance Education) officer. Now, he will be taking on yet another
role -- Sergeant of Arms of the TDOA (Texas DARE Officers
Association).

In this state position, Clark said he would more or less be the
parliamentarian.

There are approximately 800 people who are a part of the TDOA, all
DARE teachers. Clark said he ran for the board position during the
June convention in Wichita Falls. He will serve for one year and then
can run for re-election.

Clark is excited about this opportunity. He will be able to
participate in the national convention this year because it will be
held in Texas. Many international DARE representatives also attend the
U.S. convention.

Clark said that he is grateful Sweetwater Chief of Police Jim Kelley
has been supportive of his desire to be on the board and to continue
with the DARE program. Clark pointed out that he will be allowed the
time to go to three board meetings, which are held on weekends, during
his term, and continues to be allowed the time to serve as a DARE officer.

"That is time that I will not be on the street," Clark
said.

With the Chief's support, Clark is able to teach fifth and eighth
grade students one day a week each. Clark also is allowed time to take
continuing education courses, which he has to take every year. He has
been a DARE officer for 13 years.

Clark is also excited about some of the changes with DARE. This year,
there is a new curriculum that he says is more age-appropriate.
Before, a cartoon character was used that Clark felt was a little
young for the students he was teaching. There will now be 10 lessons
instead of 17. He also said that he would be more of a facilitator
than an instructor, getting discussions going within the classes.

There are hopes to be teaching DARE at the high school level, but
training for high school DARE instructors has stopped while a new
program is being developed for them as well. Clark says he believes
that getting to children as early as the fifth grade or sooner is
important to help prevent them from using drugs. However, he believes
that teaching it in high school will be beneficial as well. Clark says
that although many kids may already be into the drug scene at that
point, perhaps they can learn things that will help them leave that
lifestyle.

Clark, along with every other DARE officer, has been trained to teach
the new fifth and eighth grade programs. He was required to take an
exam before he could teach it.

Not only has the police department been supportive of DARE for 14
years in Sweetwater, Clark said the school district has also been very
supportive.

"The school (administration, board, faculty and staff) has been 100
percent accepting of this program," Clark said. "I am very
appreciative of their support."

He also pointed out that the teachers back his teachings up in their
own classrooms, and he appreciates these busy teachers giving up time
for him to teach DARE.

There are some things that have concerned Clark recently regarding
DARE. Many DARE programs across the nation have been done away with
due to lack of support from their communities and lack of funding.
Clark is positive that Sweetwater's program and Nolan County's program
(handled by Sheriff Deputy Connie Moore) will continue going strong.

"We still have a viable program after 14 years," he
said.

However, support is needed in many ways. Funding is difficult to come
by, and that is why DARE has fundraisers like the DARE Shootout that
took place Saturday. These fundraisers help Clark purchase the
teaching tools -- workbooks, classroom supplies, etc. -- that he needs.

Clark said he believes parental support is also very important and
encourages parents to come into his classes any time.

"When the parents are there, it shows their children that we are all
on the same page," he said.

He added that when parents support the class content, it builds up
what he talks about. He teaches students that parents, the school and
police are part of a triangle that is there to support them.

Anyone who would like to make a contribution to DARE or listen in on
one of Clark's classes can contact him at the police department or
through the school system.

"We need all the public support we can get. This program is still a
priority," Clark said.

He also pointed out that parents or DARE supporters can purchase any
kind of DARE memorabilia that they may be looking for -- such as hats,
T-shirts, bumper stickers, etc. -- through him.