OFFICIALS: STATE'S PUSH FOR DARE FUNDS A GOOD MOVE

Minden DARE Officer Sgt. Debbie Haynes was thrilled to hear about the $2.9
million dollars allocated by the State of Louisiana for DARE during the
recent legislative session.

"We're happy, very happy," said Haynes. "Our chief had already decided to
keep the DARE program whether it was funded or not, but this helps out a lot."

Haynes said she believes the DARE program being in danger was basically
just about politics. "They were saying there wasn't any money, but
basically if one party gets passed what they want passed, then the other
gets what they want," said Haynes. "We're just glad to get it passed."

Haynes said the way the DARE program works in Minden is the officers go
into fifth grade classes one hour a week for 17 weeks.

"It's not teaching about drugs, it's teaching how to stay away from drugs
and violence," said Haynes. "We don't go into a lot about what the drugs
look like and the drugs themselves, our program is about how to say no to
drugs and violence and about building self esteem."

Haynes said DARE also visits K-4 students, teaching 15 or 20 minute drug
and violence prevention courses from time to time.

"This year we [Haynes, fellow Minden DARE officer Lt. Julie Harmon and
Webster Parish DARE officer Jerry Moore] also did a junior high program
with the seventh and eighth grade," said Haynes "It's just a reinforcement
[of what was taught in K-4] with a little added to it."

Haynes said she wasn't sure exactly how much funding, if any the program
would receive for this upcoming school year.

"Since the money for the DARE program will come from the new cigarette tax,
which won't apply until next year, I'm not sure when we'll start seeing the
funds."

Chief T.C. Bloxom said he was cautiously pleased about the funding's approval.

"I want to wait until the governor signs the bill before I say a lot," said
Bloxom. "I will say that I am behind the DARE program 100 percent."