Cannabis penalties fund substance abuse and prevention education for kids in Pueblo

Money comes from fines levied against Kingpin Farms, LLC

Pueblo County Commissioners today approved the use of $80,000 in regulatory fines, levied against Kingpin Farms, LLC, last year, to teach middle school students about alcohol, tobacco and cannabis abuse.

Earlier this year, commissioners asked the Pueblo City-County Health Department to install an education program, funded in part by monetary penalties assessed to cannabis businesses. The department chose Botvin LifeSkills Training, a “fact-based” substance abuse and prevention program, based out of White Plains, New York. The curriculum will be taught in the 2016–2017 school year.

“We want to make sure our children are best educated on this topic, and understand the pros and cons.” Said Commissioner Terry Hart. “Kids are smart they aren’t going to take to propaganda, they want facts.”

“I think this is important. One of the benefits of regulating marijuana is bringing in the revenue that can be used to try and deter under-age kids from getting hooked on any substance. There is an opportunity here to help kids, regardless of the addiction that’s destroying their lives. It’s wonderful these funds are being used to address substance abuse in our community,” Commissioner Sal Pace said.

According to Pueblo County Public Health Director Sylvia Proud, the Botvin program will be taught to teachers, who will then implement it in the classroom.

“Anytime we can impact youth for positive development it’s important to public health. And we want to make sure they aren’t using substances,” Proud said. “Drug and tobacco use among youth is high in our community, and it has been an ongoing issue, so we have an opportunity to address that with this funding.”