IRVINE : School Board to Study DARE Program Again

The school board Tuesday will again tackle what has become an increasingly controversial issue: a DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program for middle school students.

The Irvine Teachers Assn. is opposed to the $90,000 program, which would be funded equally by the city and the Irvine Unified School District.

“Teachers haven’t had a raise in three years,” said school board President Michael B. Regele. “But they also realize that $45,000 is a drop in the bucket. I think it’s a symbolic protest.”

The school board backed away from taking a vote on the program Nov. 15 after questions were raised about the effectiveness of DARE in preventing students from using drugs and alcohol.

“There’s been a growing number of reports that have been critical of DARE,” Regele said. “You have to ask yourself, ‘Is this the best way to get here from there?’ ”

The program was approved by middle school teachers last month who reviewed the DARE curriculum. It was planned to begin during the current school year in eighth-grade physical education classes.

School board member Tom Burnham said a delay in implementing the program is unwarranted.

“The DARE program is not only an education program, it’s also a community policing program to put kids in touch with police officers,” Burnham said.

To reduce the cost of the program, Irvine Unified is considering assigning a district teacher who also is a reserve Irvine police officer to teach the class.