Here & There Column 6-24-08

Do Not End The DARE Program

The New York State DARE program is being dropped by the Division of Criminal Justice Services and there is mixed reaction to this decision.
The official New York State DARE Website states that "the DARE program was created in 1983 as a joint venture between the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Los Angeles Police Department," and "was designed by health and abuse educators to dissuade children from drug abuse."
In March of 1989 a number of police agencies in New York State started using the standards set forth by the program.
Now the State of New York says that after the next school year there will be no funding of the workbooks and training.
A drop in participants is said to be one of the reasons for the ending of the DARE funding.
Those who are voicing support of the program say that DARE also encourages a positive relationship between law enforcement and the youth.
A number of DARE offices locally say that this program provides an important exposure to youth and that overall the community also receives benefits.
Several family members told us that the program gives kids a chance to meet a police officer where there is no fear factor involved and that in this way youth can see the human side of a police officer.
Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff has vowed that there will be a Sullivan County Sheriffs Office DARE program next year. We need strong efforts by highly respected police officials like Sheriff Schiff to keep this program alive in our area.
When programs work and provide outstanding results its not time to dump them overboard to satisfy the state budget.
New York State is wrong in their decision to end DARE funding especially when today's youth are getting more involved in gangs and drugs.
Lets hope the State of New York sees through the cloudy mist in Albany and realizes the great relationship the DARE program provides.