Budget would gut Saugus Youth and Rec

SAUGUS – The town?s director of Youth and Recreation said the proposed cut of his department?s budget by half – or entirely – could lead to growth in youth drug and alcohol use.Between 2004 and 2008, Saugus led the entire North Shore with 1,542 admissions to area hospitals for heroin treatment, almost double neighboring Lynn, which had 843, according to a map from the Northeast Center for Healthy Communities.And while Saugus Youth and Recreation Director Greg Nickolas waits for the latest numbers to be released at the end of the month, he said all indications point to an even further increase for the town.?This department is the last official voice to continue to keep the awareness up front that we need,” Nickolas said. “What we?re doing is not enough. It?s inadequate. Telling me to take care of the drug problem and the alcohol problem with the resources that have been given to me is like telling me to cut down a red wood tree and giving me a butter knife.”It?s this reason Nickolas is urging residents to attend next week?s Town Meeting to show their support and urge Town Meeting members to not cut the department, which is having its budget slashed in half to $65,000 and is facing the possibility of being eliminated entirely if Town Meeting passes the police and fire arbitration.?From a strictly economic standpoint, not to address this issue, is fiscally irresponsible,” said Nickolas. “The cleanup cost related to drugs and alcohol, from prisons, courts, hospitals ? we?re in to the billions for the commonwealth. We need to stay viable just for that alone. To offer good, fun activities for the kids, which are a protective factor. It?s not going away. It?s showing an increase. It?s like a cancer that?s not treated. It continues to grow.”Programs Coordinator Crystal Cakounes is also urging people to wear red when they show up for the meeting on Monday, which starts at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.?I just figured it would be a good way to see who is showing up to support us,” said Cakounes.While the Youth and Recreation Department is known for its programs like summer hoops camp, track fun day and summer gym, Nickolas said much of his work goes toward making sure kids in Saugus don?t get involved with drugs, alcohol or making other bad decisions.?I?m not just the Rec director,” said Nickolas, who noted his department is the only organization in town dealing with drug prevention. “I was brought on in 2004 to address the high-risk behavior our kids are facing. I work with police and schools. I go in talk to the kids about making good choices. We?re starting to get a little bit more momentum as people come to terms with the gravity of the issues. Just by being here the denial is starting to drop.”Nickolas said he understands the town is facing tough economic times and acknowledges, “everyone has to share the burden.”However, he said a 50 percent reduction should be where the line is drawn.?My argument is that, we already made a 50 percent reduction. We already did what needs to be done,” said Nickolas. “I support the firefighters. I want fire and police. I don?t want to see Essex Street Fire Station closed. I don?t want to see the library close. I don?t want to see the Senior Center affected. But for $65,000, to keep these programs going, it would be foolish to eliminate it all together.”Some immediate effects of the budget reduction would be an increase in some costs and possible elimination of some programs, like the annual Sachem Speed Camp and the girls? hoops clinic, according to Nickolas.?We?re going to have to do some restructuring,” said Nickolas. We?re probably going to have to raise some costs. But I also understand how families are hurting. So we?re going to have to look at some creative ways to not impact families financially. We have to stay viable. We?ve gotten over a 100 phone calls, emails. Everywhere I go people approach us and ask what can we do?”Nickolas said he may even have to do away with the annual Founder?s Day celebr