Police chief questions
D.A.R.E. effectiveness
by Lenny Roberts

Over the past decade, thousands of Ojai Valley youngsters elected to enroll in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program offered at nearly all public and private schools. Because of budget cuts at the county level - and limited support from contributors - D.A.R.E. has been pulled out of all schools this semester.
While Ojai Police Chief Gary Pentis believes that the program is "excellent for building a positive relationship with uniformed officers at the fifth- and sixth-grade levels," he questions if one semester of anti-drug teachings in a student's career can make a difference.
"I don't think that really does anything for peer and other pressures down the road," he said. "I don't think D.A.R.E. can be effective without continual support from law enforcement or the schools throughout the years that follow."
He said that losing the position of a D.A.R.E. officer was a blow because he had hoped to transform the position, last held by Deputy Kim Larson, into that of a middle school resource officer working full-time at Matilija Junior High School in a position mirroring that of Deputy Bud McCracken at Nordhoff High School.
D.A.R.E., Pentis added, can be a major part of the drug solution with some kids, but is more effective when coupled with adult mentors, role models and concerned parents.
"D.A.R.E. can be only be part of the solution if the whole pie is present. It doesn't, in itself, keep kids off drugs. We have an increase in usage of prescription opiate drugs, particularly an upsurge in use among youth of Vicodin and OxyContin," Pentis explained. "We also have an increased awareness in the training of deputies in opiate violations, which are relatively new to the Ojai Valley. Our true interest is in the safety of the adolescent community. Our primary objective is to bring them to a place where they can receive help, not to prosecute them."

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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