Pubdate: Sun, 24 Sep 2006
Source: La Crosse Tribune (WI)
Copyright: 2006 The La Crosse Tribune
Contact: http://www.lacrossetribune.com/tools/submit.php
Website: http://www.lacrossetribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/229
Author: Michael J. Lien, Sherwood, Wis
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Note: Michael J. Lien is the director of the North Central  Region for Drug
Abuse Resistance Education.

FUNDING WASN'T CUT FOR DARE PROGRAMS

The Sept. 5 Tribune article "Incumbent faces former  undersheriff in
Crawford County" by Anne Jungen  contained incorrect information
regarding the DARE  program.

In the article, Crawford County Sheriff Bob Ostrander  was quoted as
saying, "The county board voted to  discontinue the DARE program after
federal funding was  eliminated."

I believe it's important to correct the fact that  local, county and
state "Safe and Drug Free Schools"  federal funding for DARE programs
in Wisconsin has not  been eliminated.

In reality, any Wisconsin law enforcement agency and  school district
providing DARE prevention education to  elementary, middle school or
high school students may  submit a waiver to the Wisconsin Department
of Public  Instruction and if properly submitted that law  enforcement
agency will receive federal funding from  the Wisconsin Department of
Public Instruction through  "Safe and Drug-Free Schools" funds.

It is true that federal funding for "Safe and Drug-Free  Schools" in
Wisconsin and other states has been reduced  22 percent by the U.S.
Congress for all prevention  education in the 2006-07 school year, but
not  eliminated.

DARE is in 70 percent of school districts nationwide  and in 47
foreign countries while continuing to expand.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Derek