Pubdate: Wed, 28 Nov 2007 Source: Suffolk Life (NY) Copyright: 2007 Suffolk Life Newspapers Contact: http://www.suffolklife.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4631 Author: David J Willmott Sr. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.) TRUTH OR DARE - DORMER RESPONDS WITH HEALTHSMART Last week, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Richard Dormer announced that he is reassigning 16 of the 26 officers assigned to the DARE program. The 16 officers will not be furloughed but will be redeployed to patrol duties. The 10 remaining officers will work full time in a new HEALTHSmart curriculum that will be taught to students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The new program will not only address drugs but also tobacco, alcohol, obesity, pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, and Internet security. The DARE program has been widely used across the United States. It was heralded as a drug prevention program. In 2002, the federal government's accounting office found no significant differences in illicit drug use between those who took part in the DARE program and those who did not. Commissioner Dormer believes that the HEALTHSmart curriculum will have a multi-faceted benefit, helping children of different ages. In early 2000, former Police Commissioner John Gallagher wanted to replace DARE, but the police unions organized a protest and the idea was never implemented. It appears that Dormer is practicing good government and seeking a bigger bang for the buck. And why not? - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D