LAKE FOREST : Council Defers Aiding Anti-Drug Program
The City Council declined to make a $7,500 contribution to the Drug Abuse Is Life Abuse program this week, saying it needs more information to make a decision.
“We really need to look at this proposal,” Councilwoman Ann Van Haun said. “Being fiscally responsible, we can’t do it just like that.”
The council voted 3 to 1 to deny the request, with only Councilman Peter Herzog in favor. Councilwoman Helen Wilson was absent.
Council members suggested that the group apply for a portion of Lake Forest’s Community Development Block Grant funding, federal money given directly to cities for social programs.
Marilyn MacDougall, director of the anti-drug program, said that severe cutbacks made by the county since its bankruptcy have greatly reduced the program’s budget.
Besides printing a bumper sticker commonly seen on cars locally, Drug Abuse Is Life Abuse visits schools throughout Orange County.
“I agree that it is an absolutely worthwhile program,” Van Haun said, “but we can’t make a hasty decision to fund this program on the spot.”
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