Pubdate: Wed, 10 Nov 2004
Source: Arizona Republic (AZ)
Copyright: 2004 The Arizona Republic
Contact:  http://www.arizonarepublic.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Senta Scarborough
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

UK POLICE INSPECTOR VISITS VALLEY TO STUDY DARE WORK

A high-ranking police officer from England traveled to the Valley in late 
October searching for ways to improve and expand the United Kingdom's youth 
anti-drug program.

Nottinghamshire police Chief Inspector David Gilbert met with several 
Valley police agencies, including Phoenix, to hear their experiences with 
the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

Phoenix was among the first agencies to offer the DARE program in 1986. It 
now offers the program in schools around the city including Ahwatukee 
Foothills elementaries such as Kyrene de la Esperanza and Kyrene de la Colina.

Although DARE has declined in some areas, interest in Ahwatukee Foothills 
remains high.

"They are so pro-DARE in the Ahwatukee area. I think it is because they 
truly understand the need for the program and their kids being protected 
from getting involved in drugs," said Phoenix police Sgt. J.C. Collins, who 
supervises the agency's DARE program.

The United Kingdom's Gilbert is interested in helping to expand the program 
there to high schools. The Nottinghamshire Police Department's DARE program 
reaches 12,000 elementary students.

Gilbert, 45, whose rank is equivalent to police commander, made his first 
visit to the Valley in 1996 for a Winston Churchill fellowship to research 
positive youth programs. He chose to return this year because the Valley 
provides a "balanced view" with some departments having stopped the DARE 
program and others having found ways to continue or start new programs.

"My focus is on educators and police and what decisions they made and why," 
Gilbert said. "This is good for a wide understanding, and I don't have a 
rich mix of experience in the UK."

Last year, Phoenix police scaled back the program from 18 to six to 
redirect manpower to address homeland security and other police needs.

Most of the former DARE officers became school resource officers on school 
campuses, Collins said, adding, "We have created an invaluable relationship 
with police and schools."

Collins said DARE officers are divided equally in the districts around the 
city so all children get the message. An officer teaches five to six 
classes per day reaching 90 classes and 10,000 students each year.

Several years ago, DARE came under scrutiny because studies conducted 
across the nation challenged its effectiveness. This year, Phoenix is 
teaching a new shorter curriculum based on five years of research that 
focuses on an interactive approach with students.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D