Anti-Drug Program

BUDGET CRUNCH MAY THREATEN D.A.R.E.

Gaston County Police Chief Bill Farley is recommending a $10.7 million
budget for his department, up about $744,000 from last year.

But he's asking at a time when the county has little to dole out.
Commissioners will have just $13.1 million to spend, partly because the
state withheld tax dollars and the county used capital improvement money
that's not available this year.

Adding to the crunch: Commissioners want to lower tax rates and County
Manager Jan Winters has asked department heads to keep budgets flat and
propose possible cuts.

Farley told commissioners Monday that a 2.5 percent cut in the department's
budget (about $220,864) would mean the Drug Awareness Resistance Education
program would end at elementary schools in unincorporated areas of the
county. The cut would also force a reduction in the number of school safety
officers at high schools.

"I think the D.A.R.E. program is a valuable resource," said commissioners'
Vice Chairman Tom Keigher. "I hope we don't have to go to that level (of
cuts)."

Commissioners will continue working on the budget during meetings at 6 p.m.
today and Thursday at the Gaston County Courthouse. They must approve a
final budget by July 1.