PREVENT CRIME: INVEST POLICE FUNDS IN CSD [CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT]

Rochester Police Chief Robert Duffy highlights the importance of education
as a deterrent to drug use (story, May 2). He, more than anyone else,
should understand that the budget crisis can undermine current and future
efforts to reduce drug use by city youth.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy estimates that state and local
governments spend $20 billion annually to curb drug use. With Community
Response Teams taking some of the burden off the police force, money used
for law enforcement is available.

I challenge Robert Duffy to invest police funds in the city schools as a
preventative measure. Schools with counselors and classes with books can
do more to keep kids away from drugs and off the street than an army of
police officers can.

Daniel G Renkas Jr, Brighton