A recent proposal to amend the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (HR 1589) would authorize funds to be used for gang prevention and to address the increasingly prevalent issue of bullying. The proposed amendment, by Rep. Linda Sanchez of California, specifically focuses on the negative impact that bullying has on children on school campuses.

This seems especially relevant considering the recent headlines regarding young school children taking their owns lives as a result of bullying.

• On April 16, an eleven-year-old boy in Atlanta, Georgia decided to take his own life. The A student had complained of bullying to his mother on numerous occasions. His mother, in turn, alerted the school at least seven or eight times. According to his best friend, the boy was tired of talking to teachers and counselors, with no result. Although the school had in place what is considered an exemplary anti-bullying program, it was apparently not enough. For the full CNN.com article, go to: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/23/bullying.suicide/index.html
• A month before the Atlanta boy committed suicide, a Massachusetts boy also killed himself as a result of being bullied, harassed and called “gay.”

According to a recent study by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, at least 65 percent of teens are bullied each year and most of them believe that adults cannot help them.

Clearly, something more needs to be done to stop children from bullying their peers. When a school with an exemplary anti-bullying program still has problems with bullying that result in the death of a child, more needs to be done. Perhaps throwing federal dollars at the problem will enable a more comprehensive, school and district wide approach. Since the vast majority of schools in this country currently face a funding crisis, allocating funds specifically for combating bullying and gang activity will allow the issue to be addressed, without fear of the funds being funneled to a different department. In turn, more funding may help increase awareness in the community, and most importantly, among parents.

The proposed changes to the Act include replacement of language that refers only to “drug” and “violence” activity, with language that also includes “bullying” and “gang” related activity. In addition, it includes a lengthy list of findings on the repercussions of bullying among young children.

Unfortunately, funding isn’t going to single handedly solve the problem. The real front line soldiers in this battle are parents. And, making parents aware of the pervasiveness of the issue should be a top priority. Additionally, in order for an awareness program to be effective, children need to be made aware of the harm that can come from bullying. Parents are in the perfect position to talk to their children about the potentially dramatic effect of bullying.

HR 1589 is currently in committee, and there is always the risk that it may not make it to the floor for a vote. Contacting your U.S. Representative to express concern for this issue and your support of legislation to address the problem can make a significant difference. To find out who your Representative is, go to http://www.house.gov/ and type your zip code into the box at the upper left hand corner of the page.

If you have reason to believe that a child, or anyone else, is contemplating suicide (for any reason), contact one of these suicide hotline numbers:
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

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