The Potomac News reported Sept. 8 that the Prince William County Police Department has designed a program called Basic Elementary Addiction, Wellness & Abuse Resource Education ("Be Aware") to replace DARE. The new program deals with 10 issues: prevention of bullying, gang awareness, drug and alcohol awareness, conflict management, stealing, Internet safety, personal decision-making skills, curfew and runaway concerns, and personal safety and class action. Each is broken out into its own module and can be taught separately, giving Be Aware a flexibility local officials say DARE lacked.

Lt. Kevin Hughart, head of the Prince William Juvenile Bureau, said Be Aware will allow police to respond directly to schools individual problems, such as coming to the school with the bullying module after a bullying incident occurs. Be Aware also can be taught anywhere from K-5, while DARE was designed just for 5th-graders, Hughart said. "The lesson plan will be tailored to match the grade level," he said.

"I think because of the gangs, the drugs, the alcohol, everything is so different now," said Prince William County Supervisor Maureen Caddigan said. "They've got their finger on the pulse and they'll take care of everybody."

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