A fundraising effort for a drug prevention program is raising eyebrows in Lincoln. Some call it a scam while others say it's unethical

A local company is contracted to sell licensed products as a fundraiser for the DARE or Drug Abuse Resistance Education program. But the fundraiser has some people questioning where the money goes.

You may have seen them outside some local businesses. They have tables full of DARE products with people trying to sell them.

A 23-year-old Lincoln resident, who didn't want to be identified, once worked at one of the tables. She felt she was forced to lie or avoid questions when people asked about where the money was going.

"I instantly got sick, just knowing that I was lying. I was having to call people to lie," she said.

But what those buying these products may not know is only a small percentage of that donation actually gets to the DARE program.

"On the back of the receipt it clearly says only 5 percent of the donation actually goes to the dare program," Sheriff Terry Wagner, Lancaster County Sheriff's Department.

And the rest ...

"95 percent of what we are able to raise goes back to the fundraising campaign. It offsets the cost of the product that's on the table -- the safety IDs and the fun items. We're able to bring out to kids as well too, these people at the table are paid," David Wierschem, JM Promotion Group event manager.

Company officials say at this point local DARE programs won't see any of that money. Instead, it's sent to the national DARE America.

Wagner said they're not breaking the law, but he wants people to know who's getting their money.

"They provide a service. If people want to contribute, they can. So there's nothing illegal about that -- a little unethical maybe," he said.

The question of ethics, still bothers one former employee.

"The community thinks it's going to a good cause, but it's not. It's really frustrating," she said.

But the company denies the allegations.

"I don't make my reps feel in a position where they are lying or what not. Questions that people ask, like yourself, I give them answers to give them so they don't feel like they're misleading or misrepresenting people," Wierschem said.

After less than a week on the job, the former employee said the experience was a life lesson to always do your homework.

10/11 also spoke to the national DARE program's regional director. He said companies like this one are critical in keeping the DARE program running across the country. He said that five percent doesn't seem like much, but it adds up.