The state is not happy with the tactics used by a local drug prevention program but the alternative proposed may not be able to meet the need.
Norma Norris is the executive director of the nonprofit CANDLE and developer of the Reality Tour Program.
Norris received an email last month informing her that the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs advised county agencies to look into other programs because the Reality Tour uses “scare tactics.”
“Everyone is pretty upset,” Norris told our newsroom. “They’re upset about Reality Tour’s criticism but they’re also upset that this is the plan the state has for us. And on what level does it make any sense at all?”
According to Norris, the plan that has been recommended by the state was developed over 30 years ago, requires multiple sessions, can only accept a relatively few people at a time, and does not directly deal with drugs. For those reasons, Reality Tour will continue as long as it is able.
“We will prevail. We have a lot of good volunteers and we have only ever existed because there is a demand for our program. If that demand continues, we will be here for Butler County,” Norris maintains.
Fundraising for the organization is currently underway and Norris says she looks forward to a positive response from the community to this latest development.
The state Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs could not be reached for comment.
Written By: Ryan Saeler
The post Local Drug Prevention Program Criticized By The State appeared first on Inside Butler County – Butler, PA.
