LOCAL POLICE SAY DARE WORTH KEEPING

Many communities across the state may be looking for ways to support their
DARE programs after funding was cut by acting Gov. Jane Swift last week.

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program has been runin Wayland and
Sudbury over the years. The nationwide, anti-drug program for children will
no longer receive state funding since the House and Senate did not take up
acting Gov. Jane Swift's veto of the money. Swift axed funds for this
program and others in order to cut $355 million in state spending. The DARE
state grant is $4.3 million a year.

Wayland DARE Officer Jim Forti has been running the program and teaching
students since DARE's launch in town eight years ago. Besides teaching
classes, Forti holds office hours to talk to children and teenagers who
have questions or concerns about issues in their lives.

"This is an honest program that does more than just teach kids to say no to
drugs. It teaches them life skills - tools that they can use," said Forti.
"I just can't say enough about the program."

According to police, the cuts in funding are disheartening, but not a total
shock.

"We saw fallout when grants were cut not to include full salaries for
officers a few years back. I think that we will see even more when
communities are trying to find ways to totally support the programs," said
Forti.

"The cuts take away flexibility and funding for the program," said Forti.
"But it's next fiscal year that will be the test."

Sudbury DARE Officer Ronald "Rocky" Conrado said it is too early to know
what will happen with the program in town.

"We're hoping not to end it. We're hoping to keep it going and we're going
to do everything we can to keep it going," he said.

DARE has been successful in Sudbury in the past, officials said.

More than 350 students graduated from the program last year, all promising
to "Just Say No" to drugs.

"It doesn't mean so much this year because we do have some money that has
carried over from last (year)," said Police Chief Bob Irving. "If the
funding remains cut then we will be forced to seek alternative funding
resources for part of the program."

The alternatives to funding may place the cost of continuing DARE on the
School Department, fund raising or, ultimately, parents.

"This strain will be a test of each community's commitment to the program.
The police departments are committed and the school departments are
committed to find funding no matter what," said Forti.

Conrado said he is unsure what alternatives might be available through the
schools or other groups in Sudbury to help get the message of the program
to children.

"We're not sure. It's too early to tell," he said. "We're just trying to
keep everything going."

"I have always been a supporter of DARE," Irving said. "There may have been
problems and changes made to the program, but any program where police
officers interact with youth and warn against the danger of drugs - I feel
that it is beneficial to all parties."

According to Forti, each student who participates in the program receives a
workbook, pencil, T-shirt, and upon successful completion, a certificate.
The estimated cost per student is $6.50. With 200 youths participating in
DARE this year, the funding for these items is $1,300.

"That is a big chunk of change that will have to be found in other places,"
said Forti. "Last year we cut it (DARE budget) to barebones so we could
keep it this year. It will be even more difficult next year."

Funding the materials is not the only problem. Some communities that rely
on the DARE grant may have to stop the program because they are unable to
pay the overtime officers like Forti collect.

"There will be problems in terms of budget strain. On my end, a certain
amount of overtime is given because of the work I do with DARE, but I also
work as Wayland's Youth Officer," said Forti.

Forti receives about $4,000 annually for the work he does with elementary
and middle school-aged children.

"There is criticism that DARE doesn't work or that it is old or inadequate.
The program has been modified over the years, and I have yet to see
something better," said Forti.

Before the funding cuts, Massachusetts officers attended certification
courses to stay updated on new curriculum for the program. Forti has been a
DARE-certified officer for nine years.

"It's a shame because of the kids we have helped. One girl, who is more
like a daughter to me, comes to my office at least once a week to talk
about peer pressure and other struggles she has had as a non-user," said
Forti. "Of the 200, if only the one stays off drugs, I feel that I have
helped in some way."