FOUNTAIN VALLEY : 8 DARE Instructors Honored at Banquet

Police officers who are part of Drug Abuse Resistance Education programs taught in elementary and middle schools were honored last week for their work.

More than 175 people--including city leaders, police officers, school representatives and parents--attended a banquet Friday at the Waterfront Hilton at Huntington Beach to salute the eight officers from Fountain Valley, Westminster and Huntington Beach.

The event was sponsored by the nonprofit No to Drugs Foundation. The organization, founded in 1989, has given money to high schools to throw alcohol-free graduation night parties and has provided funding to keep after-school day-care programs open.

The DARE officers were recognized for their work, and their students were invited to watch the instructors receive the honors.

“I’m thrilled that the young people (are) here tonight,” said Fountain Valley DARE Officer Mike Becker. “They’re part of the picture. . . . It makes them feel special.”

Two DARE students from each school in the three cities were sponsored by corporations, service organizations and individuals who purchased tickets on their behalf.

The majority of the proceeds from the event will benefit the drug abuse programs, with the remainder going to other community programs, said Fountain Valley Mayor Laurann Cook, chairwoman of the foundation.

Westminster DARE Officer Derek Marsh said that funding cuts faced by states and cities make donations critically important to keeping the program in the schools.

“You need groups to fill in and support cities and school districts in their efforts to keep our kids away from drugs,” Marsh said.

Cook said the foundation raises between $8,000 and $10,000 annually to provide grants for substance abuse prevention and intervention programs. Future generations will benefit from the effort, said board members of the foundation.

“I feel if we’re ever going to make any headway in the fight against drug abuse, it has to be in the area of drug prevention,” said Huntington Beach City Councilwoman Linda Moulton-Patterson, vice chairwoman of the foundation.