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Sheriff: Office doesn’t get D.A.R.E. donations

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Jul 17, 2008 - 06:05:39 pm CDT

Donate to D.A.R.E. America if you like, but don’t expect the money to get to the county’s chapter.

That’s the warning Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner had for Lincoln residents Thursday.

He said a few weeks ago he saw someone in front of a business giving away kits to help parents gather fingerprints and DNA samples of their children in case they get lost or are kidnapped.

Story Photo
Terry Wagner

In exchange, they took donations for D.A.R.E. America.

Wagner said the person at the booth told him 5 percent of the money goes to the national Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

Wagner said his office learned this week JM Promotions was going to offer child safety kits outside Lincoln stores through Saturday.

D.A.R.E. America confirmed it was authorized through its “Dare to be Safe Kids” campaign.

Wagner said he doesn’t think there’s anything illegal about what the organization is doing. And he wouldn’t deny the kits are useful, “because they are.”

But he’s concerned the money raised in Lincoln doesn’t stay here.

He said the local D.A.R.E. program has been funded by civic organizations and businesses. Anyone wishing contribute to the local D.A.R.E. program can earmark a donation to the sheriff’s office.

The county’s D.A.R.E. program started in 1989. Lincoln discontinued its D.A.R.E. program in 2000, partly because of a lack of instructors.


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Dave wrote on July 17, 2008 6:20 pm:
" If they were selling t-shirts, I bet they could make some real money. DARE t-shirts have long been hipster/boozer/stoner gear. Then again, some of the college age folks haven't been through the program, so the demand might not be there anymore. "

 Realistic wrote on July 17, 2008 9:46 pm:
" As much as I appreciate what the DARE program tries to accomplish, it is an exercise in futility of the highest degree. I was the emcee at my 6th grade DARE graduation, and guess what...I developed a drug habit later in life. No amount of well-intentioned lectures will keep kids from trying things that appeal to them. The need for escapism is very real for today's young people, even more so than in the past. The bottom line is that regardless of whether or not the money stays here or not, the program will still be of little to no use. DARE has become a punchline and it needs to be retired. "

 Locke wrote on July 18, 2008 3:26 am:
" I am surprised that people continue to give to D.A.R.E. regardless of where the money goes. Numerous studies have shown that the program doesn't work. And these studies have controlled for the usual risk factors. Across the board, students who participate in this program are more likely to end up using drugs than those who do not. "

 Dear Realistic wrote on July 18, 2008 8:34 am:
" Just because the DARE program didn't 'work' for YOU doesn't mean that you're the norm. I think anything that addresses these issues is worth the effort. I don't see that parents are stepping up on issues affecting kids, or our society wouldn't be in this mess. "

 Former DARE Instructor wrote on July 18, 2008 8:43 am:
" It frustrates me when people knock DARE. Yes, studies have shown that students who went through DARE did not abstain from tobacco or drugs anymore than students who did not go through the program. How can 45 minutes a week over the course of several weeks compete with what they are seeing on tv, the streets, or at home? Obviously, it can't. However, most people who knock the program have not seen the benefits that no statistic can show. I was able to reach "at risk" kids as an instructor and help them make their lives better. It was absolutely the most productive thing I did as a law enforcement officer in terms of helping people and making my community a better place to live. And Locke... you're wrong. You are confusing your studies. DARE Graduates are absolutely NOT more likely to end up using drugs than other kids. What you may be refering to is the old practice of law enforcement coming into schools to teach kids about drugs and bringing examples of drugs and paraphernalia along with them to show the kids. Studies have shown that this practice did, in fact, increase the risk of kids using drugs. I will admit that some DARE Instructors, while having good intentions, did this in the early days of DARE, but the DARE Curriculum specifically prohibits such acts. "

 HeyZeus wrote on July 18, 2008 10:14 am:
" Programs like DARE and anti-sex ABSTINENCE programs serve one purpose: to give adults a sense that they DID something to combat a problem. The sad part is that their energies are so wasted by preaching this sort of BS. The kids see right through it and do whatever they want. We could do healthier and more effective things for our kids, but the glib, superficial approach takes less of our time and energy, so we cling to it.

All three of my kids went through DARE and all three have used marajuana and alcohol. OMG they are STILL good kids... productive citizens with full time jobs and healthy sex lives. I thank GOD everyday that their mom and I protected them from the BS that the holy roller, dogooders tried to force down their throats. But then thats the difference between some goverment sanctioned/paid for program designed to help PARENTS feel better and two adult parents who love their kids and won't let them be brainwahsed. "

 Former DARE Instructor wrote on July 18, 2008 12:32 pm:
" Zeus, wow, all I wanted to do by teaching DARE is help kids, especially those who come from a troubled background. Interesting how positive programs can bring the hate out of some people. DARE focuses on having good self-esteem and making good choices and you call that BS? I guess some people have to be negative for the sake of being negative. Then again, some people's poor attitudes come from much deeper roots. I guarantee you, most DARE Officers interanctions are/were anything but "superficial". "

 Feel Better Parent wrote on July 19, 2008 8:46 am:
" I recently had my daughter go through the program and would do it again! I appreciate that the instructors are "trying" to help kids. These days parents need all the help they can get. So call me a feel better parent. The information received was helpful in keeping the talking going with my daughter at home. I realize she is young and things can change over time but they made a huge impression on her right now. Thank you DARE instructors!! "

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