Howell celebrities take over eatery to raise funds for DARE

Source: Detroit News
HOWELL - The city's movers and shakers traded in their daily apparel for the modest attire of food service personnel, all to raise money for the school's DARE program.

More than 20 of the area's most respected officials - judges, police, school leaders and politicians - changed out of judicial robes, pin-striped suits and police uniforms to wear aprons and serve coffee and food to the masses.

The group gathered at the Howell Big Boy for four hours and handled a variety of jobs, from taking orders, serving food to seating people.

"It was a wonderful turnout," said Ed Mourand, owner of the Big Boy on East Grand River. "The customers were lined up outside."

The officials all worked for free - they couldn't even keep their tips. Those and 10 percent of the nightly sales went to DARE - which stands for the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program. The funds will be used for supplies and to help support the program currently in six elementary schools in the district.

Such community-wide support for the program is unusual. This is a time when the DARE program is coming under fire in other communities, largely because of questions raised regarding its effectiveness. DARE administrators, responding to those criticisms, are updating the program.

It began in the district in 1998 and is taught to fifth- or sixth-graders an hour a week for 16 weeks by a uniformed officer in the classroom. The program teaches zero tolerance and that alcohol, drugs and tobacco use among teens can lead to addiction. A Detroit News investigation published in February 2000, showed the elementary school program had no impact on alcohol or drug use among Metro Detroit teens.

But in Howell, the program has kept support among law enforcement officials, residents and the school system.

"It's a really good cause," said Stanley Latreille, a circuit court judge. "I know there's been some criticism but I think we need more DARE and not less. You have to reach these children at various levels -- not only in fifth grade but when they become teen-agers."

Latreille started off at the restaurant working as a greeter, but he was moved to busing tables.

"My only concern is that some people may think I've found a job I'm finally good at," he quipped.

It was the third consecutive year that local officials participated in the celebrity serving time at the restaurant. The fund-raiser has raised more than $5,000 for DARE over the last three years.

Six Howell elementary schools participate in the DARE program. And the program has remained one of the most popular for parents and educators, said Chuck Breiner, superintendent of the Howell Public Schools.

"The graduations that we have from DARE in fifth grade draw more people than any other presentation we see in the elementary schools," he said. "It's a celebration of the children that they're going to remain drug-free that's affirmed by their parents."

And Jacqueline Bedard - who has served as a Howell DARE officer for three years - has no doubt herself about its effectiveness.

"I firmly believe from the bottom of my heart this program works," Bedard said. "It's not going to save every child. We know that. But it certainly makes a positive impact and it changes those kids that could fall either way. It helps them not be at so great a risk."
Source: Detroit News