We often don’t see the effects or rejecting a 1evy. Normally, saying no to an issue doesn’t have any immediate impact on you. Day to day, your life is the same.

We hope that doesn’t change with the fallout from the Fairfield County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Board’s levy defeat in November. It was a 1-mill levy that would have cost the owner of a $100,000 home $30.62 per year; or $2.55 per month.

The first fallout from that defeat happened last week, when Mid-Ohio Psychological Services terminated its adult sex offender and adult anger management programs. The announcement comes after budget cuts by the ADAMH Board. Mid-Ohio is a contracting agency with the board.

The approximate cost for the sex offender program was $35,000; the anger management program was $18,000.

The end of the programs will affect 17 adult and two juvenile sex offenders and eight mentally ill, violent individuals, Because offenders enrolled in the programs were sent by a court, they will he reassessed and have to receive treatment elsewhere — presenting problems. John Baus, chief probation officer for the Fairfield County Common Pleas Probation Department, said attendance has dropped off in the past when they have used other less-convenient locations.

Fairfield County Sheriff Dave Phalen said the community should be concerned by the cuts, although he does not know exactly what the safety impact will he.

The people affected need help. Without getting that help, some could very easily end up in prison, where Bans said it costs taxpayers $20,00 to $22,000 a year to keep someone.

It’s also about more than that money figure. We hope no one is seriously affected by crimes these offenders might commit if they don’t get the help they need.

Is it worth $2.55 a month for the offenders to get that help? We think so.

We hope the community looks at the cuts being made and thinks about them when the ADAMH Board returns to he ballot with another levy

Gary Brock/ Editor