DARE PROGRAM TO CONTINUE IN LEE COUNTY

Despite a loss of county funding, Lee County's Drug Abuse Resistance
Education program will continue in schools, according to law
enforcement officials.

"Most of the DARE funding that goes to schools in the county comes
from private sources," said Deputy Vic Conlee, the county's DARE
officer. "The current program will not be eliminated for financial
reasons."

The fiscal 2005 county budget does not include a requested $1,000 to
fund the program. Conlee estimates that about $1,500 in private
donations and restitution funds also is typically given to the Lee
County Sheriff's Department to run the program.

Conlee said donations will be sought to fund the program.

"With the rising production and use of meth in Lee County, our
children need DARE now more than ever," he said.