Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Funding Cut
I found out from my principal that the state has cut funding for alcohol and drug prevention in schools. I'm not sure exactly where the money comes from, but it accounts for between $500-$1,000 to our school to help in teaching alcohol, tobacco, and drug prevention. We used this money to help fund all of our Red Ribbon Week activites, prizes, and assemblies, as well as other activities throughout the year. I think we will be ok for this coming year because there should be enough in the health budget, but I'm concerned about the year after and subsequent years. Statewide, I'm curious to know what kind of impact this will have on our young people in the next few years.
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That's unfortunate that funding will be cut for drug and alcohol prevention, especially Red Ribbon Week. It may be difficult to statistically determine the effectiveness of the Red Ribbon program because it focuses on prevention (how do we count things that don't happen?). I feel confident, however, that this and other prevention activities are highly effective. Maybe by cutting the program we'll find out how much of a difference it made.
ReplyDeleteAaron, I agree with you. I think an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Who knows, maybe prevention strategies have an impact on only one kid. For that kid, it's worth it. Time will tell I suppose.
ReplyDeleteIt is tragic that these types of programs get cut. I believe they make a big difference. It is proven that kids need to make decisions before they are faced with a situation. Red Ribbon Week really focuses on helping kids make the decision to be drug and alcohol free before they are faced with the challenge. The role playing is powerful. I guess we will have to have a huge increase in drug and alcohol use for the 'powers that be' to realize how important prevention really is.
ReplyDeletePaul,
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame! I realize that times are tight in education, and everywhere, but this program is pretty useful to students. I hope you find a way to fund it. If nothing else you'll be able to adjust the program to make it fit with the budget your school has now.
Red Ribbon Week is a great time at our school in Kanab to discuss the harmful effects as drugs and for the students to get excited about celebrating being drug free. Of course it is a little crazy, but I believe the emphasis put on being drug-free is worth it.
I suppose if it was done away with completely, I could still teach my students about it on my own. I do discuss these things with them at times, but having an organized celebration of being drug free seems to help the idea stay in the minds of our elementary students better.
Hopefully things in the economy will turn around and the funding will come back. For a while there I was getting pretty used to my yearly raise and having funding for about everything we wanted. Then of course, the economy tanked and things went south. I didn't realize what an effect it would have on education, until I thought a little harder about where the money to pay us comes from. Taxes.
Thanks for sharing this issue. It may not be Red Ribbon Week in every district or school, but something will be cut as money stays tight.
Jeff Corry
It is always sad when a program that has the potential to save a lot of money in the long run gets cut. I don't know the percent of people in prison who have been involved in drugs at some level, but I'll bet it is high. Is our cost saving today going to cost us double or triple in the future?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there would be a way to get money from local citizens and businesses to cover some of the costs of the program? With the economy what it is, it would probably be difficult to do but might be worth a try.