The Local Coordinating Council for Drug Free Schools and Communities (LCC) is concerned with making and keeping area schools a safe and drug-free environment for students.

Working from an annual budget of roughly $15,000, funds are used to sponsor school programs and other issues that affect curbing drug and alcohol use. In the past, the organization has financially supported a number of programs aimed at informing and educating students and others in the community about the dangers and perils of smoking and drug use.

During Wednesday’s April meeting, members voted to assist with the financial burden associated with the recovery cost of clients enrolled at the Dunn Center, 201 Conrad Harcourt Way in Rushville.

Craig Lubbe from the Center spoke to LCC members on the cost of random drug and alcohol testing clients are required to undertake during their treatment program. According to Lubbe, a new drug and alcohol test that can detect alcohol use beyond a 24-hour period and cost $20 compared to the $6 test that only reveals alcohol use within a 24-hour period.

Following discussion the organization awarded the Dunn Center $2,000 to facilitate the test. It was noted that a failed test result would be charged to the client. During 2007 the LCC assisted with providing $5 gas card to those attending treatment as an incentive to continue along the road to sobriety. Following Wednesday’s meeting an additional $1,200 was provided to the recovery center as a means to continue the gas voucher program.

The Dunn Centers programs are designed for 24 two-hour sessions and combine group and individual counseling, with follow-up treatment in some cases. Clients in the programs are also encouraged to attend faith-based sessions that extend beyond the initial three months.

In other matters community consultant Tim Tetherford, informed the members of upcoming summits and training siminars.

In a final matter, Rushville Consolidated High School teacher Kara Scheidler, informed those in attendance that the local secondary school recently received notification that it was selected as the national recipient for the Peer Helpers and Facilitators (PHAF) Award. The presentation will be made during the National Convention that will be held in San Diego in June.

Scheidler and four students will attend and accept the award on behalf of the school. The educator also said that the herself and the teens will discuss the importance of teen building and how the program works at RCHS. The LCC voted to assist with the cost for Scheidler and the students to attend.

Read more on the PHAF award in a related story in today’s paper.

Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.