No Drug Counselors....for now!

[keyboard150]

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/301242.html


This is a very interesting situation. A lot of people are going to disagree with Collins on this one, but I completely understand where he is coming from, and I applaud him.
This is the kind of thing that is going to save Erie County. I like this guy. He asks questions, demands answers.

1.4 Million dollars for a new program cant just be given to Erie County without assurances that it won't cost us more than that in the long run. I like this guy. He's smart and doesn't just take things because they are offered like every other politician in this area. He sees the BIG PICTURE, not the little one.

What are your thoughts on this? I think he's right. The county already does have drug counselors. It's been proven that drug prevention programs don't work, so why spend the money on something that won't? Instead, find another way.
This county doesnt need "new" programs right now. In fact, it needs to jettison many of its "old" ones. Hopefully one of his goals in the near future is to start figuring out what programs are wasteful and start cutting them.

Then our budget wouldn't be so bloated.
Then there would be money to spend.
Then maybe taxes could drop.
Then maybe more business will move in.
Then maybe we'll have a stronger tax base.
Then maybe we can build some cool stuff we've been wanting.
Then maybe Buffalo can shed it's poor image.
Then maybe we'll be happy.
Then maybe we'll be "TALKIN' PROUD" (sorry)

Then maybe I'll shut up.

[Cgoodsp466]

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/301242.html


This is a very interesting situation. A lot of people are going to disagree with Collins on this one, but I completely understand where he is coming from, and I applaud him.
This is the kind of thing that is going to save Erie County. I like this guy. He asks questions, demands answers.

1.4 Million dollars for a new program cant just be given to Erie County without assurances that it won't cost us more than that in the long run. I like this guy. He's smart and doesn't just take things because they are offered like every other politician in this area. He sees the BIG PICTURE, not the little one.

What are your thoughts on this? I think he's right. The county already does have drug counselors. It's been proven that drug prevention programs don't work, so why spend the money on something that won't? Instead, find another way.
This county doesnt need "new" programs right now. In fact, it needs to jettison many of its "old" ones. Hopefully one of his goals in the near future is to start figuring out what programs are wasteful and start cutting them.

Then our budget wouldn't be so bloated.
Then there would be money to spend.
Then maybe taxes could drop.
Then maybe more business will move in.
Then maybe we'll have a stronger tax base.
Then maybe we can build some cool stuff we've been wanting.
Then maybe Buffalo can shed it's poor image.
Then maybe we'll be happy.
Then maybe we'll be "TALKIN' PROUD" (sorry)

Then maybe I'll shut up.

This was a great move,he was right when he said you can hire em but when the money runs out you cant get rid of em. We all know how these public sector employees multiply. Kind of like cancer cells.

[mesue]

How can you say

No Drug Counselors....for now!

when this will be a duplication of services?

[atotaltotalfan2001]

Generally speaking, I am completely supportive of funding to combat drug and alcohol addiction. But I understand Collins' position on this program. He has no control over content but even worse, it has future unfunded mandate written all over it.

Best to think of a different approach.

[Achbek1]

When the economy gets worse, poverty gets worse. Poverty brings about social ills including drugs.

I hope Collins is true to his word in terms of getting more jobs to the area.

If people are busy working, they won't have time to sit around and take drugs.

...And remember, in recent years Erie County's biggest individual chunk of the budget has gone to Social Services. What does that tell you? Something is wrong.

And, on an added note, we have noticed this at work: Substance abuse social workers and counselors have been listed as among the "fastest growing professions" lately, as appearing on government lists, etc. We wondered if this is because there are in fact more people on drugs or if it's because of government programs for drug rehab being the reason why the profession is suddenly more in demand. Maybe a bit of both?

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocotjt1.htm

[Smiley]

When the economy gets worse, poverty gets worse. Poverty brings about social ills including drugs.

I hope Collins is true to his word in terms of getting more jobs to the area.

If people are busy working, they won't have time to sit around and take drugs.

...And remember, in recent years Erie County's biggest individual chunk of the budget has gone to Social Services. What does that tell you? Something is wrong.

And, on an added note, we have noticed this at work: Substance abuse social workers and counselors have been listed as among the "fastest growing professions" lately, as appearing on government lists, etc. We wondered if this is because there are in fact more people on drugs or if it's because of government programs for drug rehab being the reason why the profession is suddenly more in demand. Maybe a bit of both?

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocotjt1.htm

You are correct about this being amoung the fastest growing professions. In a way I agree with his thoughts about what happens when the state money runs out, but then again, it appears that there will be a definate need for more counselors as time goes on and we now have the ability to get help by the tune of 1.4 mil to get things running and we are going to say "no thanks?"
WOW!!!

[mesue]

You are correct about this being amoung the fastest growing professions. In a way I agree with his thoughts about what happens when the state money runs out, but then again, it appears that there will be a definate need for more counselors as time goes on and we now have the ability to get help by the tune of 1.4 mil to get things running and we are going to say "no thanks?"
WOW!!!

where's the money going to come from after the 1.4 million runs out? You cannot start what you cannot finish.
I think there are enough places, at least 10 pages worth, of services to choose from. This is a duplication of services already offered.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rl...e-results&cd=1#

[cookie]

You are correct about this being amoung the fastest growing professions. In a way I agree with his thoughts about what happens when the state money runs out, but then again, it appears that there will be a definate need for more counselors as time goes on and we now have the ability to get help by the tune of 1.4 mil to get things running and we are going to say "no thanks?"
WOW!!!

It sounds like you are of the opinion that only the public sector is responsible for drug counseling. Is that true? And if it is, why?

[citymouse]

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/301242.html


This is a very interesting situation. A lot of people are going to disagree with Collins on this one, but I completely understand where he is coming from, and I applaud him.
This is the kind of thing that is going to save Erie County. I like this guy. He asks questions, demands answers.

1.4 Million dollars for a new program cant just be given to Erie County without assurances that it won't cost us more than that in the long run. I like this guy. He's smart and doesn't just take things because they are offered like every other politician in this area. He sees the BIG PICTURE, not the little one.

What are your thoughts on this? I think he's right. The county already does have drug counselors. It's been proven that drug prevention programs don't work, so why spend the money on something that won't? Instead, find another way.
This county doesnt need "new" programs right now. In fact, it needs to jettison many of its "old" ones. Hopefully one of his goals in the near future is to start figuring out what programs are wasteful and start cutting them.

Then our budget wouldn't be so bloated.
Then there would be money to spend.
Then maybe taxes could drop.
Then maybe more business will move in.
Then maybe we'll have a stronger tax base.
Then maybe we can build some cool stuff we've been wanting.
Then maybe Buffalo can shed it's poor image.
Then maybe we'll be happy.
Then maybe we'll be "TALKIN' PROUD" (sorry)

Then maybe I'll shut up.

Collins is grandstanding on this one. I think we will See a lot of that from him. The jobs created will be cut when the money runs out. There are plenty of examples in the past of that type of situation. People that except these positions have usually worked in these programs before and know the rules. Also Collins will save nothing. The money was a state grant that was brought in under his predecessor and the county legislature. If the conditions set forth by the state and approved by the county are not met accordingly than the county will just not get the money. Or if they received it will just pay it back.
One point four million that would have been pumped into our county economy, as well as possibly assisting some people with drug problems, just won't happen.
The guy's a jerkoff.

[Cgoodsp466]

Collins is grandstanding on this one. I think we will See a lot of that from him. The jobs created will be cut when the money runs out. There are plenty of examples in the past of that type of situation. People that except these positions have usually worked in these programs before and know the rules. Also Collins will save nothing. The money was a state grant that was brought in under his predecessor and the county legislature. If the conditions set forth by the state and approved by the county are not met accordingly than the county will just not get the money. Or if they received it will just pay it back.
One point four million that would have been pumped into our county economy, as well as possibly assisting some people with drug problems, just won't happen.
The guy's a jerkoff.

I think I hear the fat lady singing. Are grants not the taxpayers money?
How would this money be pumped in to our economy? The time has come to stop the madness.We dont need any more public sector employees.

[keyboard150]

Yeah. Really. This duplication of services isn't needed. Period. Send it back to the state to help plug the budget deficit.

[Smiley]

You are absolutely right! I agree that we shouldn't take the 4 million from the State. Erie County can foot the entire bill and hire additional people as needed. This way they will be permanent employees and enjoy the pay and benefits for the rest of their working life.

[atotaltotalfan2001]

You are absolutely right! I agree that we shouldn't take the 4 million from the State. Erie County can foot the entire bill and hire additional people as needed. This way they will be permanent employees and enjoy the pay and benefits for the rest of their working life.

Hey Smiley. Can you believe I totally agree with you?

[citymouse]

You are absolutely right! I agree that we shouldn't take the 4 million from the State. Erie County can foot the entire bill and hire additional people as needed. This way they will be permanent employees and enjoy the pay and benefits for the rest of their working life.

It's $1.4 million, not four million. A little more than Collins wants to spend on six sigma training. I guess it's OK to spend that much money on that.
If Erie County dosen't take the money do you think Albany will just take it and use it to help balance the budget? Highly doubtful, particularly since the money was from the previous budget year, not the one being decided now.