San Diego

An additional $800,000 in state funding expected for drug education programs in San Diego city schools will be used to expand elementary school instruction (DARE) by police officers as well as boost junior- and senior-high school efforts in self-esteem, social concerns and peer counseling, the board of trustees decided Tuesday. The funds come from both the new tobacco tax voted by Californians last year and from the state Office of Criminal Justice Planning.

Trustees said the DARE program, considered one of the most effective statewide, will be increased to cover all 107 elementary schools. In addition, district administrators will draw up specific plans on increasing programs at the secondary level, which involve more sophisticated psychological instruction.