Mulligan got group needed funding

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank our elected state Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, who has secured $10,000 in funding for alcohol and drug abuse prevention efforts in Maine Township.

Rep. Mulligan is a champion for responsible government and supports local residents' needs. Substance use affects four in every 10 of our kids in Maine Township.

With our organization the Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation, Rep Mulligan has taken a stand against youth drug and alcohol use in our community.

From the start of our collaborative efforts to address substance use in Maine Township, Rep. Mulligan has worked on legislation (reciprocal reporting, clean air, adult responsibility, marijuana laws, clear labeling) and advocated for responsible spending and programming from state agencies.

Rep. Mulligan understands that many of society's struggles can be avoided through sound prevention, and prevention is far more cost-effective. For every dollar invested in prevention services Illinois saves up to $10 in treatment costs and $7 on health care costs, criminal justice costs and child welfare expenses.

We will be responsible stewards of this funding and support prevention strategies proven effective to reduce teen substance use. Effective substance use prevention includes strategies that address community norms, social access, enforcement, and increased adult education and awareness.

In a time when there are so many needs, we are grateful for a leader that understands the in the long run, this is responsible spending of valuable tax payer resources.

Margaret Polovchak,

MCYAF director

Park Ridge