Pubdate: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 Source: Hawk Eye, The (IA) Copyright: 2004 The Hawk Eye Contact: http://www.thehawkeye.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/934 DARE PROGRAM TO CONTINUE IN LEE COUNTY Despite a loss of county funding, Lee County's Drug Abuse Resistance Education program will continue in schools, according to law enforcement officials. "Most of the DARE funding that goes to schools in the county comes from private sources," said Deputy Vic Conlee, the county's DARE officer. "The current program will not be eliminated for financial reasons." The fiscal 2005 county budget does not include a requested $1,000 to fund the program. Conlee estimates that about $1,500 in private donations and restitution funds also is typically given to the Lee County Sheriff's Department to run the program. Conlee said donations will be sought to fund the program. "With the rising production and use of meth in Lee County, our children need DARE now more than ever," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake