Pubdate: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 Source: Herald-Star (OH) Copyright: 2002 The Herald-Star Contact: http://www.hsconnect.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1268 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.) D.A.R.E WELCOMED BACK IN CITY SCHOOLS The reinstatement of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program in Steubenville's schools is a positive and highly valuable addition to our grade schools. The program was cut for lack of personnel a few years ago. The cut deprived children in the most formative years of information that could have the greatest effect on their early development - the ability to recognize the threat that substance abuse will have on their lives in years to come. The D.A.R.E. program targets children during their most formative years, which also are their most vulnerable years. The D.A.R.E. program, over the years, has at times been the subject of some question as to whether it is effective in keeping children off drugs. While the D.A.R.E. program may have its detractors, we echo its supporters. As interim Police Chief William McCafferty said, if one child is reached, then the program is worth the effort. It was also wise for McCafferty to call on the expertise and commitment of veteran Patrolman Tony Piergallini to dust off his D.A.R.E. books and return to the classrooms to be the D.A.R.E. officer. Piergallini was the first Drug Abuse Resistance Education program officer in Jefferson County in the late 1980s, as the program made its way from Los Angeles across the nation. Piergallini began working as the first area D.A.R.E. officer in 1988. He is one of only a few in Ohio who received his D.A.R.E. training directly from the Los Angeles Police Department, which originated D.A.R.E. in the mid-1980s under then-chief Darryl Gates. His personality and his enthusiasm, along with his strong belief in the value of the D.A.R.E. program qualifies Piergallini as a natural to convey the D.A.R.E. philosophy to the hundreds of fifth-graders in the city. The duties of the D.A.R.E. officer are to go into the classroom and give students the opportunity to discuss issues including dealing with peer pressure and health issues and crime issues relating to tobacco, alcohol and drugs, as well as completing a workbook. At the end of the program, the students receive a certificate of completion of the D.A.R.E. course. The students also know they have a friend in the police department, forming a teacher-student bond with the D.A.R.E. officer that lasts into adulthood. Piergallini can recount many stories of running into his first "D.A.R.E. kids" who are now young adults. The relationship that forms is as valuable to youngsters as the message about substance abuse, as well as offering police a bit of good public relations with future generations. We commend McCafferty for recognizing the value of the D.A.R.E. program and acting to restore it. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake