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Once in a blue moon, government does come up with something that works- a program that is highly effective in terms of results and at the same time is cost effective to the taxpayer who foots the bill for all of it. One such program here in Watonwan County(and neighboring counties) has been the Adult Drug Court which has been highly successsful on both counts.
Now birth has been given to the idea that kids ages 13-18 could benefit from a similar program. Brown County is eager to have Watonwan County join with them in the Juvenile Drug Program. There is absolutely no reason why this would not work for kids. In one real way this becomes a pro-active program to prevent further use in these kids lives that will then extend to adulthood. For an investment of $2,000 in a kid’s life now, who is having issues with drug use, their future may look radically different. Instead of costing the taxpayer, they will be the taxpayer, making contributions financially, socially and in every other way in a positive manner.
In my simple way of thinking, to have it is a no-brainer. Tell me one good reason not to have it? When I see the way money is spent in our county on some things that I think are absolutely frivolous, not needed, or just pure luxury, this is an investment that will actually work and make a difference in someone’s life and the lives of those immediately around him or her, and ultimately in the lives of those living in this community.
I would hope that when the idea becomes fully formulated and a vote is taken to initiate it, that there would be a unanimous vote in favor of The Juvenile Drug Program.
Once in a blue moon, government does come up with something that works- a program that is highly effective in terms of results and at the same time is cost effective to the taxpayer who foots the bill for all of it. One such program here in Watonwan County(and neighboring counties) has been the Adult Drug Court which has been highly successsful on both counts.
Now birth has been given to the idea that kids ages 13-18 could benefit from a similar program. Brown County is eager to have Watonwan County join with them in the Juvenile Drug Program. There is absolutely no reason why this would not work for kids. In one real way this becomes a pro-active program to prevent further use in these kids lives that will then extend to adulthood. For an investment of $2,000 in a kid’s life now, who is having issues with drug use, their future may look radically different. Instead of costing the taxpayer, they will be the taxpayer, making contributions financially, socially and in every other way in a positive manner.
In my simple way of thinking, to have it is a no-brainer. Tell me one good reason not to have it? When I see the way money is spent in our county on some things that I think are absolutely frivolous, not needed, or just pure luxury, this is an investment that will actually work and make a difference in someone’s life and the lives of those immediately around him or her, and ultimately in the lives of those living in this community.
I would hope that when the idea becomes fully formulated and a vote is taken to initiate it, that there would be a unanimous vote in favor of The Juvenile Drug Program.
