After a three-year hiatus, a noted anti-drug and anti-violence program taught by local police officers returns to Petaluma elementary schools with strong community support.

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program fell victim to budget constraints resulting in staff decreases at the Petaluma Police Department a few years ago, according to Police Chief Dan Fish.

The program returns to nine Petaluma elementary schools this year thanks to donations from the Petaluma Chapter of the North Bay Association of Realtors and the McDowell Drug Task Force.

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