Pubdate: Mon, 12 Jan 2004 Source: Metrowest Daily News (MA) Copyright: 2004 MetroWest Daily News Contact: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/619 Author: Michelle Muellenberg DARE PROGRAM MAKING A COMEBACK NORTHBOROUGH -- The relationship between police officers and local students is one of the most important in town, says Police Chief Mark Leahy. That's why reviving the DARE program was on the top of Leahy's list when he took office last April. With the help of local donations, the department recently finished its first program at the Zeh Elementary School, and it is already planning for the spring. "We've been fueling the whole thing on donations since the state did away with the DARE grants," Leahy said. Lack of state funding, along with tight finances for cities and towns, forced many departments to cut their Drug Abuse Resistance Education. Northborough was without the program for one year. After scaling back its program for the last few years, the neighboring Marlborough Police Department eliminated its program last year. "When the state grants went away, so did the DARE program," Leahy said. "I came up with the idea that I will find the money someplace." A combination of money from the department's budget and more than $3,000 in donations brought the program back. The department had received $7,000 from the state. DARE teaches students how to recognize and resist the pressures that might influence them to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs. In Northborough, students are introduced to the program in the fifth grade. "I was confident there would be benevolent people out there who would see the worth in this," Leahy said. "That's how we kept afloat. There have been a lot of benevolent people and groups." The department has received contributions from $100 to $1,000 -- some designated specifically for the DARE program and others donated for anything the department needed. "One gentleman came in and said we were doing a great job and here is a (donation)." Leahy wrote a letter back to the man telling him the contribution went to the DARE program. The Northboro Junior Woman's Club gave Leahy $1,000 at its December meeting after he spoke on the DARE program. "We just really thought it was something to get going again," said Laurie Middleton, club president. "It is a wonderful program." She said many members have children who would benefit from the program. Ten percent of the club's annual craft fair is donated to various departments and organizations every year. Leahy said the state is cutting the DARE program from 17 to 10 weeks. "That helped us a great deal to reduce personnel," he said. "We have five DARE officers now who have been extremely generous with their work schedules." Although there has been debate on whether the DARE program is effective, Leahy said, "I don't care. If you reach one student in the class, it is a success." "(The program) builds a relationship that pays off for the kids and the cops for years to come," he said. And for those fifth-graders who missed out on the program, Leahy said they are not forgotten. "I'm still trying to find a way to reach the group of kids that got away," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake