Pubdate: Sat, 17 Aug 2002 Source: Cincinnati Enquirer (OH) Copyright: 2002 The Cincinnati Enquirer Contact: http://enquirer.com/today/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/86 Author: Barb Cooper LUNCH WITH POLICE COULD WORK WONDERS The evidence is in that the DARE program has little effect on drug usage. However, everyone seems to agree that the program enhances youth-police relationships. I wonder what would happen if a neighborhood police officer stopped in once or twice a week to eat lunch with the students in the cafeteria. It seems to me that community relations would improve, relevant issues could be casually discussed, and respect for others could be reinforced. All this could be done without using valuable class time, at no cost to the taxpayer, and without taking officers off the street imagine how lunchroom discipline might improve as well. Barb Cooper; Springfield Township - --- MAP posted-by: Tom