News (Media Awareness Project) - US IL: Macomb Cuts DARE Out Neighbors Don't |
| Title: | US IL: Macomb Cuts DARE Out Neighbors Don't |
| Published On: | 2002-09-14 |
| Source: | Peoria Journal Star (IL) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-22 01:41:34 |
MACOMB CUTS DARE OUT; NEIGHBORS DON'T
Deputy Teaches Drug Program In Several County Schools
MACOMB - The decision to cut the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program in
Macomb apparently has caused confusion about the program's future in other
McDonough County schools.
Confusion surfaced after an announcement last May there would be no DARE
program in Macomb schools this year, sheriff's deputy Jim Percy said Friday.
Percy teaches the DARE program at the Northwestern, Colchester and Industry
school districts. And the Bushnell Police Department still operates its
program in the school there.
"We want to assure the public that we will still continue the school-based
program like we always have," Percy said. The 17-week program operated by
the sheriff's department cost several hundred dollars each year. It
operates solely on donations from the public and local charitable
organizations that donated prizes or T-shirts to the classes. No county
money is used to pay for the program, with the exception of Percy's deputy
salary.
Percy said he has been told workbooks and graduation certificates no longer
will be offered free to the sheriff's department by Illinois State Police
unless funding for those items is restored.
The DARE program, which promotes drug and violence resistance, is taught to
sixth-graders in the Northwestern and Colchester school districts and to
fifth-graders in Industry and Bushnell. About 100 children are taught each
year in the three schools that take part in the sheriff's department's program.
Percy also teaches a program in the Northwestern, Industry and Colchester
districts about resolving conflicts and reducing violence.
Macomb Police Chief Bill Hedeen said the decision was made to cut the
program, at least this year, in Macomb schools because of budget
considerations and because the police officer trained to teach the program
resigned. "We're looking for ways we can still do it, but not this year,"
Hedeen said. "We like the program, and hopefully it can be reinstated when
the money situation gets better."
Deputy Teaches Drug Program In Several County Schools
MACOMB - The decision to cut the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program in
Macomb apparently has caused confusion about the program's future in other
McDonough County schools.
Confusion surfaced after an announcement last May there would be no DARE
program in Macomb schools this year, sheriff's deputy Jim Percy said Friday.
Percy teaches the DARE program at the Northwestern, Colchester and Industry
school districts. And the Bushnell Police Department still operates its
program in the school there.
"We want to assure the public that we will still continue the school-based
program like we always have," Percy said. The 17-week program operated by
the sheriff's department cost several hundred dollars each year. It
operates solely on donations from the public and local charitable
organizations that donated prizes or T-shirts to the classes. No county
money is used to pay for the program, with the exception of Percy's deputy
salary.
Percy said he has been told workbooks and graduation certificates no longer
will be offered free to the sheriff's department by Illinois State Police
unless funding for those items is restored.
The DARE program, which promotes drug and violence resistance, is taught to
sixth-graders in the Northwestern and Colchester school districts and to
fifth-graders in Industry and Bushnell. About 100 children are taught each
year in the three schools that take part in the sheriff's department's program.
Percy also teaches a program in the Northwestern, Industry and Colchester
districts about resolving conflicts and reducing violence.
Macomb Police Chief Bill Hedeen said the decision was made to cut the
program, at least this year, in Macomb schools because of budget
considerations and because the police officer trained to teach the program
resigned. "We're looking for ways we can still do it, but not this year,"
Hedeen said. "We like the program, and hopefully it can be reinstated when
the money situation gets better."
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