End of the track for funding

It's a life-changing course. So why pull the plug on it? Joseph Barratt reports
A shock-and-scare scheme to turn teenagers away from fatal driving habits may close.
Two months ago, The Aucklander ran a story about 16-year-old Shanice Spragg, who was caught for drinking and driving.
Forced to go on The Right Track programme, she came out glad she had been caught and vowed never again to drink and drive . It has changed her life and the lives of dozens of other young drivers by making them think twice before doing something stupid.
The intensive course for young first-time offenders shows them the big impact of their actions.
However, the course may end because Manukau City Council cannot continue to fund it.
Miss Spragg thinks it's an extremely bad move to pull funding.
``If you talk to a lot of the people that have gone through the course, it has made a difference. Surely, if it's going to save at least one person, it's worth it.'
In the course, youths and their families visit the Otara Spinal unit and talk with crash survivors. They also meet funeral directors and re-enact crashes.
Roz Williams and her husband, Martin, are funeral directors who attend fatal accidents in the Counties-Manukau region.
They have seen the grim reality of what dangerous driving does and talk about it to those on the course.
``We pull no punches,' says Mrs Williams.
``We say what it's like to put bodies back together and what needs to be done to the body. You just see the blinkers coming off and they see what the reality is like.
``They are not invincible. We are the ones that have to clean up the mess. We give up time because we want to prevent those deaths.'
She says it is shortsighted to withdraw funding for the course. ``They are happy paying for the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. And there's always the money to put them together at the hospital.
``It doesn't seem right not to spend the money putting a fence at the top of the cliff.
``There has to be another way to get funding to continue this programme.'
John Finch, who developed the programme through the EduK8 Trust, says it has been extremely successful and is being adopted by councils around the country.
``I have even received calls from overseas about it. It's a world-first for its effectiveness.
``I sold my business and put money into it, but I can't fund the whole thing. The programme will grind to a halt.
``The police and courts like it because it gives an option other than just prosecuting. Slapping them with community service and a fine does not stop offending.'
Despite the success of Right Track, Manukau City Council says it never intended to provide permanent funding.
The council has partially funded six programmes over the last 18 months at a total cost of $60,000.
Group manager for transportation Chris Freke says there is only so much money available for road safety.
``We were always just planning on funding its start-up. We cannot afford to continue it indefinitely.'
Manukau Police Senior Sergeant Mike Stopforth hopes funding can be found somewhere else.
``There is a real need out there for it,' he says.
``There are other courses, but not as intense.'
What do you think? Send your thoughts to letters@theaucklander.co.nz