GROUP PLANS DARE DINNER

TORRINGTON-- The past year has been a tough one for Torrington's Drug Abuse
Resistance Education program.

Funding for the program, which is geared toward city public and parochial
schools, was drastically reduced at the state level by close to $13,000.

Additionally, extensive periods of wet weather also played havoc with
DARE's fund-raising opportunities.

The annual downtown car show, the only source of DARE income aside from the
state level, was postponed three times due to the threat of rain this summer.

In order to maintain the program throughout Torrington schools, DARE
representatives have turned to an alternative, yet highly popular, means of
fund-raising - the pasta dinner.

"We don't normally do a pasta supper for DARE, but we were completely
rained out this summer," said Mary Jane Gryniuk, a volunteer with the
city's DARE program. "We're desperate for money."

The pasta dinner will be held Dec. 10 at St. Francis School, 360 Prospect
St., Torrington, from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Gryniuk first became affiliated with the DARE program during her tenure as
mayor. Since that time, she has had an active interest in the program that
strives to keep kids off drugs.

"The program itself will be cut back from 17 to 10 weeks, and we're looking
at a whole new curriculum," Gryniuk said. "What was taught in previous
years will now have to be condensed significantly."

Gryniuk said DARE programs are in operation at the fifth-, eighth- and high
school grade levels. The older students, she said, also act as mentors for
the younger students, encouraging them to stay away from drugs.

"The kids really enjoy the DARE program," Gryniuk said. "And what I found
to be one of the best outgrowths is that it encourages kids to have
conversations with their parents about drugs, alcohol and gangs."

Price Chopper of Torrington donated much of the food for the pasta supper,
all of which will be prepared by Officer Tony Pietrafesa and DARE volunteers.

Gryniuk recommends that tickets, available at the door, be purchased in
advance. Adult admission is $6. Admission for senior citizens and children
between 5 and 12 years of age is $4. Children under 5 will be admitted free
of charge.