Dist. 200 hasn't made call on DARE

Time is running out for Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 to decide if it wants to maintain a drug and alcohol prevention program staffed and partially funded by the city of Wheaton.

The Wheaton City Council is reviewing police department needs as it prepares a budget for the next fiscal year. The year begins May 1.

Part of the discussion is deciding whether to keep a DARE, or Drug Abuse Resistance Education, officer in local schools.

Traditionally, a Wheaton police officer has taught the prevention program. As part of an arrangement between District 200 and the city, the school district pays 75 percent of the officer's salary.

Most city council members said during a weekend budget hearing they believe in the DARE program.

The comments signaled a willingness to fund and staff DARE, which was on the cutting block during last year's budget discussions.

This year's program was scaled back after Wheaton's city staff cited studies questioning the curriculum's ability to prevent substance abuse in alumni of the program.

Right now, DARE is taught only at the fifth-grade level. Wheaton police took advantage of the cutback to beef up its street presence.

So far, this year's discussions haven't focused on effectiveness of the program.

Neither city officials nor school district officials interviewed knew of any current debate about switching to another program.

Instead, the emphasis has moved away from what the city wants to what the school district will allow.

District 200 spokesman Bob Rammer said the district is still investigating whether to keep the program.

School board President Andy Johnson said he's awaiting a recommendation from the district's staff before the school board takes a position.

That leaves the city in a state of flux.

Councilman Howard Levine said it's best for the city if the school district decides what it wants as soon as possible. Not only is funding the DARE program up for renewal, but the possibility of adding a middle school resource officer also is up for debate, Levine said.

"If they don't want (DARE) in the schools, then there's nothing we can really do," Levine said. "I would like to see the DARE program continue in its current form."