Pubdate: Mon, 30 Aug 2004
Source: Blade, The (Toledo, OH)
Copyright: 2004 The Blade
Contact:  http://www.toledoblade.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/48
Author: Erica Blake
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

DEPUTY TOUTS SUCCESS OF D.A.R.E

Lucas County sheriff's Deputy Brett Warner has heard the criticism: Drug 
prevention programs don't work.

He knows some police departments have dropped the Drug Abuse Resistance 
Education program from their budget.

But the longtime D.A.R.E. officer isn't swayed by the critics and is 
skeptical of studies claiming prevention programs don't get through to 
their intended audience. Instead, he wonders how many more people would be 
in jail if not for prevention programs.

"I really believe in D.A.R.E., and not in just D.A.R.E., but in prevention 
in general," said Deputy Warner, 37, who was recently elected president of 
D.A.R.E. Ohio. "I don't think we want to risk getting rid of prevention 
programs just to see if they were working."

Since 1997 when he became a certified D.A.R.E. officer, Deputy Warner has 
dedicated his law enforcement career to keeping kids away from drugs and 
violence. He's in the classrooms at 20 schools and spends most of his 
summer jumping from festivals to fairs.

He helps bring the anti-drug message to parent groups, Cub Scout packs, and 
home school coalitions. And now, armed with the New D.A.R.E. program, 
Deputy Warner is doing it in a more hands-on way.

Created in Los Angeles in 1983, the program has gone through a 
modernization effort where lectures behind a podium have been replaced by 
role-playing, mock courtroom exercises, and Web sites. This gives the 
deputy a chance to interact more with the students in elementary, middle, 
and high schools.

Born and reared in Whitehouse, he attended Anthony Wayne Local Schools. 
Deputy Warner began his police career in Waterville Township after spending 
time as a member of the security team in the U.S. Air Force. It was in 
Waterville Township that he became a D.A.R.E. officer and began entering 
the schools.

His first assignment was his alma mater, where he worked with students for 
five years.

Deputy Warner joined the sheriff's office in 2002.

"I'm working my dream job," said the father of three. "I love kids. I think 
it's important that kids are given as many tools to go out into the world 
as they can."

But while 500 officers across the state are actively involved in helping to 
spread the message of prevention, the program has been criticized. Some 
police departments, including Toledo, have dropped the program.

Still, Deputy Warner said the majority of law enforcement agencies and 
school districts - including those in Perrysburg, Maumee, Sylvania, 
Sylvania Township, and Oregon - believe in the program and continue to 
support it.

Sheriff Telb said his department supports the program simply because it 
"works."

"We've been doing it for over 10 years, and the kids know us growing up, 
they thank us for doing this program," the sheriff said. "The D.A.R.E. 
program is good; the D.A.R.E. officer makes it work."
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