DARE Honor Clouded by Uncertain Future

DARE supporters and volunteers were honored at a recognition dinner Wednesday by Pride Foundation Inc., a nonprofit community group that gives financial assistance to the program.

Casting a shadow over the celebration, however, was the possibility that DARE--Drug Abuse Resistance Education--could be reduced or even eliminated next year because of the city’s budget crunch. Officials are projecting a shortfall of $4 million for fiscal 1996-97.

The DARE program is now taught in 55 Huntington Beach schools by four police officers. Police Chief Ronald E. Lowenberg has said that DARE may be among the casualties when he reduces his budget for next year by more than $700,000.

“The board is concerned about the impacts of those cuts,” said Shirley Carey, a Pride Foundation executive board member.

Carey, also a Huntington Beach City School District trustee, said the foundation will continue to support DARE financially but is in no position to take it over entirely.

Police Officer Mike Kelly, who coordinates the DARE program, said its operating costs total about $400,000 a year.

The program serves about 14,000 students a year at public elementary and junior high schools as well as youngsters at six private schools.

The program, which focuses on the dangers of drug abuse and gangs, includes a 17-week curriculum for fifth- and sixth-graders, police officer visits to students in kindergarten through fourth grade, a 10-lesson curriculum for junior high students and a parent group.