Pubdate: Tue, 08 Oct 2002
Source: Monroe News-Star (LA)
Copyright: 2002 The News-Star, Gannett
Contact:   http://www.thenewsstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1644
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

DARE PROGRAM CONTINUES DESPITE SHORTAGE OF FUNDS

A tight state budget has put the pinch on many programs in Louisiana. 
Hiring freezes and slashed budgets make normal operations a bit more difficult.

One example of the budget clamp came last week when the state cut 42 
percent of the budget from the Drug Abuse Resistance Program. In Ouachita 
Parish, that means a loss of $26,000 from $62,000 in state money. DARE in 
Ouachita Parish has a total budget of $124,000.

The loss in funds for DARE also points out a problem with tying programs to 
fluctuating revenue sources, which in this case means the Tobacco Tax 
Health Care Fund. The tax did not generate the money anticipated.

It's a tough situation in a difficult financial climate. Finding ways to 
offset the loss of funds isn't easy, but Ouachita Parish Sheriff Richard 
Fewell says the cutback will not stop the program. That's the right answer, 
despite the cutback.

"I'm going to keep the program going,' Fewell said. "I promised I would do 
it, and it's important to the parents.'

A couple of options to help offset the loss of funds exist. One is 
corporate sponsors, which Sheriff Randy Maxwell has done in Concordia 
Parish. But Fewell said he is wary of that approach because of the politics 
that can become involved.

Another form of help comes from the recent approval by district judges to 
add $10 to traffic fines. That money goes into the general fund, and Fewell 
said some of those proceeds can be devoted to the shortfall in the DARE 
program.

The DARE program benefits schools and communities. In Ouachita Parish, 
deputies speak to children in the fifth and sixth grades about the dangers 
of drug abuse. Students like the program and officers enjoy the interaction.

"The officers really make a connection with the kids,' Ouachita Parish 
School Superintendent Bob Webber said.

DARE serves an important purpose for schools, which must provide some drug 
education programs to receive federal funds. DARE offers schools a bonus 
because it helps them receive money and does not cost schools a dime.

The shortage of funds likely came about because store owners purchased 
large quantities of cigarettes before the increased tax went into effect 
earlier this year, throwing off budget estimates for revenues. Hopefully 
that means this type of unanticipated cut won't happen again.

In the meantime, it's important that DARE continues to operate in our schools.
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