[Winona Online Democracy]
First, it's obviously not news to anyone working with at-risk teens that
this is a huge issue, and that it's one that is connected to other huge
issues. I only have time for a general observation and a quick thought
about one prevention approach.
The general observation: it is naturally tempting to look first to
increased legal consequences. Bear in mind the cost of incarceration and
the incredible logjam that exists in courts and corrections. We could
theoretically get involved in some fairly intensive, "deep-end"
intervention services and still be much less expensive than sending kids
away.
One approach: for the past two years, Family Services Collaborative money
has funded chemical dependency counselors on-site at two off-campus,
alternative school settings for teens. My experience has been that the
counselors are in very high demand, and that they can't ever seem to catch
up with each of the kids who wants to meet with them or participate in a
group. I don't know whether there is any funding for this to continue this
year. It seems to me that approaches like this are very cost-effective, and
yet it seems to be a rare event to have "front-line staff" cross over
agency borders, with the firm, on-going funding and thoughtful supervision
needed to develop a successful program. Why is that so rare a thing?
Scott Lowery
461 Sunnyview Drive, Rollingstone MN 55969
home phone: (507)689-4532
school phone: (507)453-3888
home email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
school email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
"You can fool too many of the people too much of the time." James Thurber
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