WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SUPPORT ADAS?

Ron Randall's recent Saturday Essay calling for a human services levy was
very interesting. Having separate levies allows voters to pick and choose
what they support, but a joint levy may be a more efficient way to manage
the tax dollars collected.

I run the largest Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services-funded agency,
COMPASS, and know well the challenges presented to the community related to
alcohol and drug abuse. The ADAS board is now contemplating what its next
move will be about trying another levy.

It may be the right time for an umbrella levy, especially when you look at
what was on the Nov. 6 ballot. The CSB, MRDD, and 911 levies, which all
passed, can tie part of the need for their levies to alcohol and drug abuse.

The ADAS board now has the difficult task of addressing an ever-increasing
demand on prevention, intervention, and treatment services in Lucas County
while resources to support these services are being cut.

We, as a community, need to decide which is the best way to support the
ADAS system.

WILLIAM D. SANFORD
Chief Executive Officer
COMPASS