I asked Eric how he became a policeman. 
He grinned. "I used to watch CHiP's on TV.  I thought that Ponch and Jon had a great job.  I loved watching them ride their motorcycles and solve crimes.   When I was fourteen, a Washington State Trooper moved into the house across the street from me.   I loved talking to him, I thought that he was really cool."

"I got my first police job with the Whatcom County Sheriffs Department." Eric continued.  "I worked as an intern with them during my Sophomore year.  During my Junior Year, I worked as a Park Patrol Officer for the Bellevue Police.  I started with St. Helens, the following year."

"Terry Moss was our St. Helens' D.A.R.E. officer.  He was awesome."  Said Eric.   "I thought that he had a fantastic job.  He was a fantastic person, a great teacher and an inspiration to everyone.  When Terry was promoted to Lieutenant, there was an opening and I applied for it."   

I asked where he got his D.A.R. E. training.

"They sent me to Harrisburg Pennsylvania for training.  It was extremely difficult."


"I understand that there has been some criticism about the D.A.R.E. program's effectiveness. I read about a study that said that the program hasn't worked;" said I

Eric didn't even blink when he answered. "I am aware of some of these studies and D.A.R.E. does work.  Our curriculum has had considerable revision, and I can point you to a number of survey's that show that D.A.R.E. is successful in curbing the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco."

Positive studies have been conducted by California State University, Nebraska Bureau of Justice, Ohio State University, University of Illinois.  These and other studies seem to indicate that D.A.R.E. has resulted in decreased drug and substance abuse. They also seem to indicate that D.A.R.E.'s drug, alcohol and tobacco education has made a positive impact on students,

Eric invited me to join him in the Classroom.  He drove a special vehicle to school, a custom black Chevrolet pickup.  The truck had red lights on its roof and D.A.R.E. decals on its side and back.  "This truck used to belong to a drug dealer," confided Eric.  "The Police confiscated it when we busted his operation."

A very animated Eric Bunday explained to me: "We have 250 children in our program. 
We try and teach kids how to think for themselves and make decisions, the right decisions.   D.A.R.E. does not just tell kids to say "No," it teaches them how to say "No."  We don't try and scare kids, but we try and let them know what can happen if they don't say "No.""

We traveled to St. Helens School District's Lewis and Clark Elementary School.  "We will visit two fifth classes here." Said Eric. 

We walked into a classroom, and he showed me the classroom D.A.R.E. Box. 
"This is  where the kids can leave me questions when I am not around," said Eric.

The Dare Box is used in each classroom and is designated for students who have questions or concerns during the times when the officer is away from the class.   Each class designs and takes pride in their own D.A.R.E. box, often competing with other classes for he "best" box.  The questions can include anything from drugs to police work, to personal

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