DRUG PREVENTION

Snohomish Losing Important Program

I am writing in regard to the termination of the drug and alcohol
prevention program in the Snohomish School District. I am appalled! In a
district of nearly 9,000 students, it is pure insanity to even think about
operating without such a program. Funds to pay for this program come from
state-funded grants that have been cut due to our poor economy. If the
state is not going to pay for this program, then the district should.

Two years ago I-728 was passed in order to better education. Education is
not only about teaching students what is written in history books, but also
how to live productively and successfully, hopefully free of drugs. The
will of people expressed through the initiative was clear: new money was
not to be used as an excuse to rob the education budget in other places. I
quote from the actual language of Initiative 728: "It is the intent of the
people that existing state funding for education, including all sources of
funding, shall not be reduced, supplanted, or otherwise adversely impacted
by appropriations or expenditures form the student achievement fun."

This is exactly what is happening: funding is being impacted and Snohomish
is losing a program that is greatly needed. If this program is cut there
will be nowhere for students struggling to clean up their lives to turn,
except back to drugs. Do we want to see that happen?

ROBIN HAGUEWOOD

Student of Snohomish High School

Snohomish