Pubdate: Thu, 03 Jun 2004
Source: Patriot Ledger, The  (MA)
Copyright: 2004 The Patriot Ledger
Contact:  http://ledger.southofboston.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1619
Author: Casey Ross

DIFFICULT TIMES FOR DARE IN LOCAL TOWNS

Several South Shore communities are struggling to rescue Drug Abuse 
Resistance Education programs that lost state funding after the Romney 
administration deemed DARE an ineffective use of taxpayer money.

Communities have been running the program without state help since last 
year, when the administration cut $4.3 million for DARE.

Now the administration is saying it does not plan to restore that funding 
even as the state's finances improve, prompting a heated response from DARE 
supporters.

''We can't arrest our way out of this problem, and that's exactly what's 
going to happen,'' said Michael Mather, chief executive of DARE 
Massachusetts. ''We don't need to put children in jail. We need prevention 
and education.''

Mather said Randolph and Avon are among the South Shore communities that 
have eliminated DARE because of a lack of money. Several others have 
scrambled to maintain their programs by raising money locally.

Hanover Police Chief Paul Hayes said the program has proven effective in 
his community and will remain in place as long as he can find enough money 
to keep it going.

''I firmly believe in having a police officer in the schools,'' Hayes said. 
''That kind of mentoring needs to go on these days, and not only by 
parents. A lot of kids need a little extra direction.''

In addition to Hanover, Hingham Marshfield, Scituate and Duxbury have kept 
DARE programs operating. Other communities, including Braintree and 
Weymouth, have opted out of the program, either because of budget problems 
or because of concerns about its effectiveness.

A report released by the Romney administration last month said substance 
abuse problems can be more effectively addressed in other ways. The report, 
endorsed by Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, included DARE in a list of programs not 
getting the most from taxpayer dollars.

But Mather said Healey's conclusions were based on outdated research and 
misconceptions about the effects the program has on children.

''People still think it's just one grade,'' Mather said. ''It is a 
kindergarten-through-12th grade program. We need to build better children, 
and we need companies and parents to get involved.''
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart