Ads by Yahoo!

" annie, wrote most people that go to these programs have problems with cocaine, heroin, meth, the drugs that kill you
Exactly how are these people hurting you?
They steal! Why because they can't work as employers drug test.
They lie, Why because they they can't work so they have to lie to obtain money.
They commit crimes! Why because they can't work so they have to support their habbit somehow.
Now lets look and see what would happen if they were legal.
They CAN/COULD get a job and support themselves and their habbit.
Sure some will still steal lie and break the law but that has been happening since the birth of mankind.
So exactly how does they being illegal protect you?
All I have seen is an increase in crime and violence assosiated with them being illegal! Drug cartels and gangs would be a thing of the past, but it's not about the war on drugs it's about the continuation of the opression of our citizens and a way to control the citizens through fear... I just afraid most are to closed minded to see what is realy happening in our country. "

" annie, so based on your comment we should also make prescrition drug illegal as they are addictive and kill people. Automobiles fall into the same catagory they kill people and americans are addicted to them as well, your reasoning lacks justification...
Being a former addict I know first hand that they fail. I quit when I was ready to quit not because of a court order sayinng I must seek treatment. It's only clear to those whom have lived it.
Your comment is laughable at best.
Something I learned when I was five is the more restrictions that are in place the more they will be broken and the more laws in place restricting people of their freedom of personal choices the more this country will desolve into disorder and crime. No amount of law will protect you from those whom wish to do you harm the only protection you will ever have is you standing up for yourself and fighting for your rights to live your life how you choose to live, now that would be real freedom... "

" My comment was not about whether they work or not, but don't tell me (meaning the taxpayer) to fund a program "or else". Tell me to fund a program because of the success I will see. However, the people in the story justifying their existence don't seem to see it that way. "

" omg, 420 go smoke your weed. drugs that are addictive need to be outlawed. most people that go to these programs have problems with cocaine, heroin, meth, the drugs that kill you. these programs are needed to protect those of us who do not break the law. "

" Most of the substance abuse funded programs not-for-profits, including the two in the article. Rules and regulations and just plain common sense that say when the staff shrinks, then they will have to help fewer people. If people are court ordered now they may end up back in jail or prison, costing us more, and if they aren't court ordered now and continue to have problems then there are more potential victims out there, and the need more more police which will cost us more. Look at orlando ave issues and tell me you think the police have enough now to prevent and react enough in our community.
I hope the previous writer was correct and that it's all polictical theater. I believe it was irresponsible for legislature to not balance the budget before submitting it. But playing with our money, services, or security is one way avoid getting re-elected be it the governor or the president of the senate.
Other commentors have it wrong, these cuts are not all on increases, the Substance abuse about 45% and some parks 60% are for all current funding. (There may be more those are the two of which I am aware.) "

" Most of the substance abuse funded programs not-for-profits, including the two in the article. Rules and regulations and just plain common sense that say when the staff shrinks, then they will have to help fewer people. If people are court ordered now they may end up back in jail or prison, costing us more, and if they aren't court ordered now and continue to have problems then there are more potential victims out there, and the need more more police which will cost us more. Look at orlando ave issues and tell me you think the police have enough now to prevent and react enough in our community.
I hope the previous writer was correct and that it's all polictical theater. I believe it was irresponsible for legislature to not balance the budget before submitting it. But playing with our money, services, or security is one way avoid getting re-elected be it the governor or the president of the senate.
Other commentors have it wrong, these cuts are not all on increases, the Substance abuse about 45% and some parks 60% are for all current funding. (There may be more those are the two of which I am aware.) "

" Everyone in our community should be very concerned about these cuts. In recent days and weeks we have continued to read and here about all the violence that has been happening in our community. With funding cuts I would expect for those issues to increase. Anyone with the right knowledge could easily make the connection between these cuts and our ongoing prison issues in Illinois. Many times those who are un-informed ask the question of why is violence being allowed. The reality is that in a bigger scheme than the average citizen would know, violence and drugs can become very profitable, especially when you cut money from programs who are trying to help the issue. We need to get behind these programs and demand that they be funded or I would guess that we will continue to see a rise in violence in our community. "

" The problem with these type of programs is there is no data showing that they work or don't work. Anyway, they are not getting less funding, they are just not getting as big an increase in funding as they would like.
There is no doubt that cuts need to be made as the taxpayers are getting wiped out. Hard data should be supplied to show what programs work and which don't. This is how we got rid of DARE, which was just a "feel good" program with no hard and lasting results. I don't agree it is worth our money to keep someone clean for a month and then back on the streets doped up again. It may be worth it for the person but not for society as a whole. "

" I pretty much have to agree with 420 and Burns. Again, when justification eludes one, one turns to "it's a qulity of life issue" and then one tops it off with "crime will go up".

The real concern of most of the "dismantled" organizations is their staffing and their clout not their "clients".

On the other hand, I do also agree that this Governor is TRYING to freak everyone out to force his agenda. Why "give" free busrides to seniors and then take away the budget for them? It's political theatre. He wants a public outcry. There were certainly other "cuts" that could have been made. "

" I'm sorry to hear that the lawyers, judges, and politicians's who own this local facility will make less money. Oh, Boo Hoo. I agree with "420;" those who would benefit most are those who voluntarily go, and then they can pay for it themselves. To force someone into a program like this through the courts rarely works. "

" Well those two posts illustrate an ignorance of the situation. Substance abuse treatment will happen whether it takes place in a prison, state run hospitals or community mental health centers. The only decision for our legislators is whether they prefer to pay for these services on the front end or the back end after people become involved in the criminal justice system. Granted, a large number of people are "court ordered" into treatment because of criminal justice system issues, but it is laughable to say that court ordered clients do not benefit from treatment. Even if the benefit is only 28-180 days of substance-free, stable, predictable living while in residential treatment, there is still benefit for those people at that time.
Also, it is important to note that these funds devastate prevention and early intervention programs run in schools and in the community. How could anyone argue that educating and intervening with kids early is a bad idea? How can we as a society not fund programs such as these?
More importantly, why would the governor and our legislators wage personal war over personal agendas using vital social programs as leverage? "

" Burns - excellent point. By the way, just read that these 'cuts' in many cases are cuts in the expected budget increases - not less money than last year. More spin from the bureaucrats trying to get more funding. "

" Please, the only people who benifit from these types of programs are those whom choose to go by themselves and not court ordered to..
The fact is they do not work and should be the first programs to be cut as those whom choose to go to these programs should pay for the program themselves.
Countries where drugs are legal, don't have anywhere close to the same problems we have here in our country because the real problem with drugs is not the drug it's self but the government and the do-gooders who are the real reason why drugs are a problem in our communities...
Alot like a kid with a cookie jar, when told no they steal lie and sneek them anyway they can but when allowed unrestricted access they use reason and restraint...
End the stupid failing drug war.... "

" This story reminds me of being in New Orleans and being approached by someone who worked for an at-risk youth center who said if you don't donate to our charitable work, the kids we work with will probably end up on the streets and rob you. I don't know what it is, but there something inherently wrong with using a veiled threat of (potential) violence as justification for social services funding. "