Even as one group of parents in River Forest gathers steam in the shared community effort to address drug and alcohol abuse among local teens, we watch, again perplexed, as the River Forest park board continues to stonewall the townships’ Youth Interventionist program.
We’d argue there isn’t a more effective or necessary program in our villages than the interventionists. One-on-one connections in local parks, schools, homes between caring adults and teens and families with troubles — this program works.
After years of joining every other local taxing body in shared funding of the effort, the park district is now balking at paying $4,100. The money truly isn’t the issue. The issue is solidarity among our clear-thinking public bodies that a joint effort to work with teens before issues escalate just makes good sense.
Someone on the park board needs to get a voice and speak up for this program.
