Pubdate: Tue, 19 Sep 2006
Source: Republican, The (Springfield, MA)
Copyright: 2006 The Republican
Contact:  http://www.masslive.com/republican/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3075
Author: Suzanne Mclaughlin

WILBRAHAM'S DARE UNDER BOARD SCRUTINY

WILBRAHAM - The Board of Selectmen will decide in  January whether to 
replace the Drug Abuse Resistance  Education officer in the 
elementary and middle schools.

Police Officer Dennis LaPlante, who has been on sick  leave, 
anticipates retiring in January.

Selectman Patrick Brady said studies have shown there  is no 
statistical difference in drug use depending on  whether students 
have had a DARE program or not.

School Superintendent Paul C. Gagliarducci said it is  difficult to 
measure the effectiveness of a DARE  program.

He said in his opinion, if a program has saved one  life, it is effective.

Gagliarducci said it will be up to selectmen whether  they want to 
pay for a police officer in the schools.

He said the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District  will offer 
drug resistance education whether or not the  town funds a police officer.

Gagliarducci said police officers have been a positive  presence in 
the schools and have been a deterrent to  drug use.

The DARE program is anti-drug, anti-violence and  anti-bullying, 
Gagliarducci said.

He said the programs involves students, parents,  educators and 
police and tries to teach students good  decision-making skills.

Selectmen Chairman David W. Barry said it is difficult  to measure 
the success of the DARE program.

He said he believes the message is cumulative and there  is a point 
in a student's life when he may remember the  anti-drug message of the program.

Brady said he wants to see the best drug education  possible. But he 
would like to see one designed with  measurable results.

Fogarty said funding for a DARE officer is in the  budget. He said 
selectmen in January will be asked to  authorize hiring a replacement 
officer for LaPlante.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine