The Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) formally announced on Tuesday the introduction of a new program, Make A Great Impact on Children (M.A.G.I.C.) aimed at keeping public school students free from drugs.
M.A.G.I.C., which was adopted in schools earlier this week, targets fifth graders in Orange County public schools and will be taught by agency School Resource Officers.
The new program replaces the DARE curriculum, which though successful over the years, did not allow for any deviations from the approved curriculum and cost the Sheriff’s office up to $1,000 per deputy to become a DARE certified instructor.
Deputies said that the new M.A.G.I.C. program is specifically tailored to the needs and issues of Orange County school children and will save Orange County School Boards $10,000 per year. The M.A.G.I.C program will not only be more cost effective, but also more effective, given its better targeting to the requirements of students in the area.
The M.A.G.I.C. curriculum will also provide classes on current issues facing youngsters, including Cyber Bullying and Prescription Drug Abuse.
