Stow Police Department Receives Grant for D.A.R.E. Program

The Stow Police Department got an extra bit of help from the State of Ohio in helping to further teach kids the dangers of drugs.

A $24,522 grant was awarded to the to help with the D.A.R.E. program and the School Resource Officers, according to Police Chief Louis Dirker.

"The money goes into the General Fund; the Police Department does not receive any of it directly," Dirker said. "We have one D.A.R.E. Officer, Officer Jim Barker, and one School Resource Officer assigned to the , Officer Barry Smith."

To receive the grant, Stow had to apply based on the number of hours worked by Officers Barker and Smith. The city is then awarded a sum of money based on a formula worked out each year by the State of Ohio. The number of departments applying for a grant also influences how much money Stow will receive.

Dirker said that the D.A.R.E. program currently is taught to fourth, sixth and seventh graders. Officer Barker teaches one class per week at each of the schools. 

"Officer Barker is a dynamic teacher who is highly regarded by the principals and teachers with whom he works," Dirker said. "The D.A.R.E. program provides the youth of The City of Stow with information on not only drug resistance, but also with coping mechanisms that the students can use throughout their lives."

The extra money will help the city continue teaching kids through D.A.R.E. and help improve the already successful program.

"The D.A.R.E. program is constantly being evaluated and revised to respond the needs of the students," Dirker said. "I strongly support the D.A.R.E. and SRO programs and believe that they are one of the reasons that people choose to move into a suburban community such as Stow. I believe that investing time in interacting and teaching the youth of the community will have far reaching effects as these young people mature."