Community Corner

Drug Program Back in Hopatcong Schools

D.A.R.E. 'a program we could not afford to give up,' school board president says.

After months of negotiating, a drug-awareness program will return to Hopatcong schools in 2012-2013.

Hopatcong Board of Education President Cliff Lundin said 's fifth-graders will take part in the Drug Abuse Resistance Program, or D.A.R.E., next school year. In March, officials said the municipality couldn't afford to release an officer for the program, which typically lasts 10 weeks.

But Lundin said Monday that implementation of the program will be an effort between the municipality, the police department and the Sussex County Sheriff's Office.

Find out what's happening in Hopatcong-Spartawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It's a program that was could not afford to give up," Lundin said.

"[Police Chief Robert] Brennan indicates that one of his highest priorities is fighting drugs in this community, as well as it should be," Lundin said. "And we thank both [Mayor Syliva Petillo] and the [borough] council and the chief."

Find out what's happening in Hopatcong-Spartawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Superintendent Dr. Charles Maranzano said he was impressed with Brennan, who took over the post earlier in the year.

"His initiative and his focus is like a laser," Maranzano said. He recognizes that there is a community problem. He understands that that occasionally spills over into our schools and he is committed to doing everything he possibly can to eradicate excessive drug use and to be proactive in Hopatcong."


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