Re: [Winona] School Board's Financial Support of DARE

Thu, 28 Aug 2003 13:31:21 +0000

Greetings,
 
Because of the school district's financial situation, I voted against allocating money for D.A.R.E.; but I asked Sue Brown (a board member who has been very supportive of D.A.R.E.) if she would like to respond to the discussion.  She is not currently subscribed to W.O.D. so if you have any questions, you'll have to email her directly, but here is her response to the two initial posts on this topic:
 
-Steve Kranz, Board Member
-Winona Area Public Schools
 
 
----- Original Message -----
To: "Steve Kranz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2003 5:47 PM
Subject: Re: DARE Comments
 
While there is controversy over whether or not it is a successful program
statistically, I think overall there is benefit.  Perhaps one of the
benefits that I feel is truly important is that it gives children a chance
to see officers in a positive, non-threatening, or intimidating manner.  It
makes officers much more approachable to the children.  In a day and age
where domestic violence in the home is on the rise (even for Goodview, we
handle a large amount of domestic calls)this gives children an opportunity
to feel more comfortable about seeking help.  It is clear that family life
is a huge influence on student performance and attitude, behaviorally and
academically.  I think in regards to that aspect, the program is very
important.

I also believe that there are successes in the program, I guess it depends
on how many children stay off drugs one considers a success, is it 1, 10,
100, or a 1,000?  I think any amount is a success and worthy of supporting
the program.

The benefit is also great to the taxpayer. Many dollars are spent for drug
interdictions, housing drug offenders in jails, and not to mention many of
the crimes that a community suffers from a direct result of drug abuse.

It is obvious to me, with the contributions that Officer Kearney has
already been able to garner, that there are many in this community that
feel that this is a program that needs to be supported.

If you would like to pass that on to online democracy, that would be great,
I have no problem with that.
 
Sue
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2003 11:42 PM
Subject: [Winona] School Board's Financial Support of DARE

First of all, I need to note that I have no reason to doubt that Officer Kearney is a good and ethical person just trying to continue to do work that he loves and that my comments about D.A.R.E. have nothing to do with him personally.  We need folks who are passionate about their work to be spending time with our kids.
 
That being said, I'm very concerned that the school board is choosing to designate $5,000 to a program that hasn't even been proven to be effective.  In fact an independent study conducted for the U.S. Department of Education by the Research Triangle Institute (billed as "one of the premier research institutes in the world") confirms that school-based drug prevention programs like D.A.R.E. appear to have "a limited to essentially non-existent effect" on students' drug use.  You may find the complete text at:
 
 
In these times when our schools are struggling so hard to try to get the best for our kids, I don't think that the D.A.R.E. program cuts the mustard.  I suggest that board members do some more research and be willing to re-visit this issue.  Please make decisions based on all the facts and don't let biased passions have more influence than reason.
 
Kathy Seifert
 

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