Pubdate: Wed, 20 Dec 2006
Source: Advertiser-Tribune, The (Tiffin, OH)
Copyright: 2006 The Advertiser-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3224
Author: Josh Comer, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

'BIG, GREEN DRUG-SELLING MACHINE' FINDS NEW LIFE
WITH  FOSTORIA DARE

FOSTORIA -- Fully-loaded 1995 GMC Suburban, new  electrical and paint
and one incarcerated owner. If  interested, contact Fostoria's new
Drug Abuse  Resistance Education officer at city schools.

The unveiling Tuesday night of a once infamous  chrome-wheeled SUV as
a DARE-mobile marked a new  beginning for the truck and the program in
Fostoria.

Mayor John Davoli announced the program, inactive for  five years,
would restart in January and introduced the  vehicle and the city's
newly-trained DARE officer, Matt  Noftz.

"He just completed a two-week training program," Davoli  said. "He's
the right guy for the job."

Police seized the truck -- once called "The Big, Green  Drug-Selling
Machine"-- from Maurice Haskins. Haskins  is serving four years in
prison after being convicted  earlier this year of drug possession and
trafficking.

Local automotive shops volunteered time to reform the  SUV, Davoli
said. After electrical work, a fresh coat  of paint and the
application of custom-designed decals  with messages such as
"compliments of a local drug  dealer," Davoli said the truck still
makes an  impression.

While the window-rattling speakers remain intact,  Fostoria Police
Chief John McGuire said the thumping  bass now sends a different
message to students.

"They see it and realize they can lose their car,"  McGuire said.
"They see the consequences of being  involved with drugs."
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MAP posted-by: Derek