The New Madrid County Sheriff's Department is slated to receive $18,645 for its DARE program, Gov. Mel Carnahan announced Wednesday.

Thanks to a federal grant administered by the Missouri Department of Public Safety, the sheriff's department will be able to continue the DARE program for its fourth consecutive year.

DARE stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. Law enforcement officers around the nation use the program to talk to schools and civic groups, encouraging school-age children to stay away from drugs.

Officials at the sheriff's department hadn't been notified officially of the award, but were pleased with the news.

In addition to New Madrid County receiving funding, the governor announced that Park Hills would also receive more than $18,000 for its DARE program.