OAK PARK : Anti-Drug Program May Be Expanded

Sixth-grade students at Medea Creek Middle School in Oak Park and six private schools in Thousand Oaks would learn about the dangers of drugs and the importance of self-esteem this fall under a plan being considered by school and city officials.

Thousand Oaks officials are considering adding a second full-time Ventura County sheriff’s deputy to teach Drug Abuse Resistance Education to children in the Oak Park Unified School District and private schools.

In addition, the Conejo Valley Unified School District’s program, which started in 1986, would be expanded to a growing number of sixth-grade students in the district.

Although all Oak Park students are now taught about substance abuse and self-esteem in a program called Quest, officials said they want to add the 16-lesson DARE program to help children build a positive relationship with police officers.

Adding the officer would cost $103,753, including salary, benefits and supplies, and would be paid by the participating school districts, private schools and the city of Thousand Oaks, said Joe Hinsberg, the city’s community services manager.

Thousand Oaks officials will consider in early October whether to contribute about $50,000 toward the DARE program. Conejo Valley school board members voted Thursday night to pay $30,000 for expanded service.

The Oak Park Unified School District and the private schools will pay $35 to $37 an hour for the service, Hinsberg said.

It would cost the Oak Park Unified School District about $5,000. School board members will consider the matter at their Oct. 2 meeting.