Union County approves $40,000 in additional funding toward the B.E.S.T program

By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, October 2nd, 2025 in Featured Stories More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

UNION COUNTY – During a regular commission meeting on Wednesday, October 1^st, the Union County Board of Commissioners officially approved a $10,000-dollar annual allocation in opioid settlement funds toward the Union County B.E.S.T Program, providing $40,000 dollars over the next four years. The funding allocation was initially requested by Sheriff Bowen during an Opioid Abatement Advisory Committee meeting on September 23 and recommended for approval by the committee. The funding will coincide with the current four-year contract for School Resource Officers.

For those unfamiliar, the B.E.S.T program (Be-aware, Evaluate, Stand up/speak up, Take time to talk to your team) provides education on substance abuse prevention and safety to Union County 5^th grade students. Originally launched in 2023 in the La Grande School District to replace the old D.A.R.E. program, B.E.S.T. is overseen and taught by Union County School Resource officers in most Union County School Districts. The funds are expected to help further expand and develop the program within the county over the coming years.