DARE OFFICER SEES FRUITS OF CLASSROOM PROGRAM

OREGON - Don't ask Cheri Brodzik if the DARE program works. She has been
involved with the program for the past 11 years and knows it can do some good.

"If I keep one kid from getting involved with drugs or cigarettes, I
consider that a success," said Brodzik, DARE officer for the Ogle County
Sheriff's Department. "Teenagers I taught while they were in grade school
will come up and talk to me, so I know I am having an impact."

Brodzik talks to students in fifth grade and seventh grade in all the Ogle
County Schools except Rochelle. Rochelle has its own DARE program.

"At a time when some kids are afraid of cops, the ones I have dealt with
come up and talk with me," said Brodzik. "I think it is important to have
police officers in schools so we can be more approachable."

Having an officer in school is also a good way for law enforcement agencies
to learn about what is going with children. Brodzik knows that besides
marijuana and cocaine that there are kids who are sniffing chemicals to get
high.

"Huffing is a problem," said Brodzik. "Kids will inhale cleaners and other
fumes to get high."

Because different drug abuse problems can come up or return, Brodzik said
it is important to have DARE in schools.

"The program allows there to be a presence of a police officer in schools,"
said Brodzik. "I get two chances to talk to the kids before they reach an
age when they might be exposed to drugs."

Children do not have to take the DARE class in Ogle County, but over the 11
years she has been teaching, she has had only one student with parents who
did not want their child to take the class.

"My guess is that his parents used drugs and they didn't want their son
coming home and telling them they shouldn't be doing it," said Brodzik. "I
do hear about how fathers or older siblings use drugs from the children in
the class."

When Brodzik learns there is a drug user in one of her student's
households, she will pass the information on.

"We have made several drug arrests based on information I have gathered in
the classroom or from talking to the kids," said Brodzik.

Since some of the children in her classes may not have good role models at
home, Brodzik invites high school students who have been through her class
to come in and speak.

"The kids look up to the high school students," said Brodzik. "The kids
really respond to the older teenagers. Some of the high school students
might be in sports or other activities, so the kids see that you can still
be cool and not take drugs."

Even though she has worked hard to get the message out about the dangers of
drugs, Brodzik knows a few of her students will end up using them any way.
"If I save just one, I feel I have done my job," said Brodzik.

Making an IMPACT with children