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Funding Problems

By Jay Treadway

April 27th, 2010

I just read this morning about how the federal funding for the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program was cut from $25 million to $10 million last year. Next year’s funding is expected to be cut in half again. These are facts I already knew and felt daily.

This story is being repeated a lot these days. It’s the same in every community; in every state. Whether it’s the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education and Training) Program, Too Good For Drugs, or whatever program. Funding for prevention programs is an easy cut I’m sure. We need to get budgets in line so we look at everything. Makes sense.

The article also went on to say that a lot of communities that are cutting back on budgets are still teaching these programs. The difference is that they are not giving the kids t-shirts, pencils or rulers anymore. Or, at least not as much stuff. If I were in their shoes I’d be doing the same thing. After all, the most important thing is to continue to teach these lessons even if you need to fore go the “trinkets.” 

And that’s a big concession coming from a “trinket” salesman!

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