Pubdate: Wed, 18 Oct 2006
Source: Hendersonville Times-News (NC)
Copyright: 2006 Hendersonville Newspaper Corporation
Contact:  http://www.hendersonvillenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/793
Author: John Harbin

SHERIFF CANDIDATES HOLD DIFFERING APPROACHES FOR DARE PROGRAM

The Two Candidates for Sheriff in Henderson County Have Different 
Views on How They Would Treat a Drug Resistance Program If They Are Elected.

DARE, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, teaches fifth 
grade students the dangers of smoking, alcohol and drugs. Some 
parents say they have heard Rick Davis plans to scrap the program if 
elected, but the Republican nominee says the claim is false.

He said Tuesday that the DARE curriculum would be kept 100 percent intact.

"The curriculum should be expanded," Davis said.

As for DARE camp and DARE dances, Davis said there are many rumors 
floating around about those programs' demise.

"So many rumors begin during election season," Davis said. "We are 
doing a holistic view of the Sheriff's Office and all of the programs 
offered need to be looked at."

Davis said that if he is elected he would be reviewing every program 
and every dollar spent on them.

"When it comes to something outside of the DARE curriculum, it will 
be part of what is being reviewed, and nothing is a sacred cow and 
can avoid possibly being cut," he said.

Davis said that in regard to all of the programs at the Sheriff's 
Department he didn't foresee any huge changes if he were elected.

"You have to remember this is the eleventh hour of political 
desperation," he said. "People on my opponent's side will say things. 
I am surprised the election has gone this far without things being 
said or done."

Democrat Sam Selph said that if he is elected, DARE and all of the 
programs related to DARE would remain the same, if not expanded.

"I think DARE camp gives the children of Henderson County something 
to look forward to," Selph said.

Selph said the DARE program needs to remain in the schools and that 
the program needs to be updated.

"With the drug problem in this town, including methamphetamine, 
cocaine and marijuana, we need to update the program to discuss 
prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals," Selph said. "It is my firm 
belief that we need to keep our children aware of the drugs and the 
problems they create."

Selph said that if the DARE programs were taken away, the children of 
Henderson County may be more likely to get involved in gangs or drug 
activities.

"The Sheriff's Department can do a lot to raise money to keep DARE 
intact," he said. "I feel the department needs to do more -- like 
raise money for battered women, the Meals on Wheels program and the 
animal shelter."

Selph said he has talked with current Sheriff's Department officers 
who are willing to do fundraising and that the sentiment is something 
which needs to be taken advantage of.

"I believe anytime we can educate our kids on the problems drugs can 
cause, we need to do that -- and not cut programs that do it," Selph said.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine