No D.A.R.E. program classes in Washington County this year: "I felt the need to suspend the program"

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- For decades, it has been a program aimed at helping to steer kids away from drugs and violence -- but there are no D.A.R.E. classes in Washington County this year. FOX6 News spoke with the Washington County sheriff about why that decision was made.

"I felt the need to suspend it and sort of evaluate if we can continue that program into the future," Washington County Sheriff Dale Schmidt said.

Sheriff Schmidt recently notified 11 school principals about the decision to suspend the D.A.R.E. program this spring.

Though many support the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, which has been a staple since the early 90s, it is being halted in Washington County mainly due to staffing challenges.

"We had one of the main instructors that left employment here. We had a couple of other officers -- one was promoted to a sergeant position and the other one is a detective. Those positions are kind of time consuming," Sheriff Schmidt said.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office is now left with only two certified D.A.R.E. instructors to handle the 11 schools and 18 D.A.R.E. classes.

"They are better used in this case, in this time period as patrol deputies so that we can properly staff our patrol operations. That`s really what it comes down to right now. It`s a time period that's a little difficult for the program -- but I think we'll do some good analysis and hopefully come out of it in the next school year with something better," Sheriff Schmidt said.

During this time, Sheriff Schmidt will speak with school principals, community leaders and those who specialize in drug abuse to see about alternative options during the classroom instruction time.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the D.A.R.E. program.