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Lebanon Schools

CAR SHOW TO GIVE MONEY TO DARE

Without more money, the Lebanon Police Department barely would be able to afford to give the 450 fifth-graders in the anti-drug program a free pen. 

That's why, police said, contributions to Drug Abuse Resistance Education, such as those made through the efforts of E&E Metal Fab, have become increasingly important. 

E&E is holding a DARE benefit car show Saturday that last year raised about $4,000 for the program, said Steve and Willie Erb, E&E owners and sponsors of the event. 

When DARE was first offered in Lebanon schools, a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency paid for officers' salaries to teach, along with expenses to buy a T-shirt, certificate and more for the students, said Lt.  David Gingrich, one of the Lebanon DARE officers. 

The state gradually has reduced its contribution, from $12,900 in 1999 to $5,200 for 2006-07, which covers only the six officers' time spent teaching and another $1 per student, he said. 

"Every year the funding keeps getting lower and lower.  ...  Last year it was $1 a student, which nowadays doesn't get you a pen or a pencil," Gingrich said. 

"It's pretty much bare bones.  They give us enough money to try and get into the schools to do a 45-minute class for 10 weeks," he said. 

Police in other municipalities are also experiencing DARE cuts. 

A North Lebanon Twp.  police spokesman said contributions from Cornwall-Lebanon School District and businesses such as Wal-Mart help make up the difference. 

"We're always looking at trying to keep the funding up because we think it's an important program," he said. 

The money E&E raised last year allowed purchase of T-shirts, water bottles, certificates, pens and pencils and stickers for the students.  It also allowed the program to award stuffed DARE lion mascots to winners of an essay contest and a jacket to one winner per school. 

Gingrich said he believes DARE helps kids stay off drugs and out of trouble and lets them see a different side of police officers -- not just as officials who arrest people.