To bolster efforts to help keep youth from making poor decisions, the Barton County Commission Tuesday morning approved the transfer of $3,931.62 from the Special Alcohol Fund to the All-Stars program.   

Special Alcohol Funding may be spent only for services promoting alcohol and drug abuse prevention and education, detoxification, intervention, or treatment of abusers, or are in danger of becoming abusers, said Human Resources/Finance Director Matt Patzner. All-Stars is a school-based prevention/intervention program designed to delay the onset of youth engaging in risky behaviors such as substance misuse, bullying, violence and sexual activity.  

“We want to say thank you very much. This is a great program,” said Casey Rowland, 20th Judicial District Services community case manager. She is the main facilitator for All-Stars.

It is active in every elementary school in Great Bend’s Unified School District 428. It is also in Hoisington, and will soon include Ellinwood and Claflin.

“We serve almost 1,000 youth with this program, Rowland said.

“We’re working hand in hand with our local law enforcement and other agencies to network this program through our schools and continue those services for our families as well,” she said. “So, it’s not just the youth, but the family as a unit and building that unit to be stronger so it builds our community to be stronger and safer.”

This also serves as an in-kind match for the county’s Drug Free Communities Grant, it was noted.

Established by state statute, Special Alcohol Funding is derived from the 10% gross receipts tax on the sale of liquor in private clubs.