The department knows it has made an impact. A significant problem with DARE, Carcara said, is its rigidity. We'll develop our own curriculum and I think we'll have a much better product. Jefferson County Sgt. Nikki Henderson, who coordinates the DARE program, said part of the problem is that there were never enough officers to teach DARE at all levels.
Police plan to expand their new program to middle and high schools as well as elementaries.
Ralph Lochridge, spokesman for DARE America, cautioned that there is usually a lot of enthusiasm when communities kick off their own drug education programs, but the excitement then wanes. The Jefferson County department is working with the county school system to set up the new program. Students will be surveyed this semester to determine what the program should cover. IF ALL GOES well, the new program could be in place after the winter break. We're shooting for January . . .