MOLINE TO CONTINUE REDUCED DARE PROGRAM

MOLINE -- Moline sixth-graders still will participate in Drug Abuse
Resistance Education, or DARE, although they will spend fewer hours in
the program.

The school board voted 5-2 to keep a reduced version of the program,
taught by Moline police officers. Robert Tallitsch and Don Kurrle
voted against the program. Karen Buchanan, Lynn Friesth, Ruth Ann
O'Brien, Julie Wilson and Jeff Scherer voted to keep it.

"I'm glad we're looking at continuing this program because it serves
many of our students. It's part of our job," Ms. O'Brien said. "We
should give this (reduced program) a chance to see how it's going to
work."

Moline schools implemented DARE in the early 1990s and budgeted
$41,000 for the program next year, said Les Huddle, assistant
superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

He said the district was looking at the program because it had
concerns about its effectiveness. Students now spend 17 hours during
one semester in the class.

The nationwide DARE program responded to schools' concerns by changing
the curriculum for next year. The new program will take 10 to 12 hours
during one semester, Mr. Huddle said.

::It serves the kids. We should not be focusing just on reading and
math. We are trying to develop the whole child," he said.

Mr. Tallitsch said he was concerned about the program's effectiveness,
and about the amount of money and time it takes. But, he said the
board made a good decision and the program will continue.

Mr. Kurlle declined to comment on why he voted against the
program.

Moline's crime rates have declined since the program began. Ms.
O'Brien said that is something to consider when evaluating DARE.

Superintendent Cal Lee said he's "comfortable with DARE on a lot of
levels."

"I like the relationship it creates between students and police at a
young age," he said. "I think it's cost effective."

The district will continue to monitor the program and might follow
DARE students into middle school and high school to determine its
effectiveness, Mr. Huddle said.