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4. <br /> Minnesota's elected officials, however, continue to debate the value of <br /> preventive programs such as recreational programming. Representative Bruce Vento <br /> is a strong supporter of preventive initiatives focusing on recreation. According to <br /> Vento, "Urban recreation and sports programs are a proven, common sense, and cost- <br /> effective means of preventing crime and delinquency" (Trust for Public Land, 1994). <br /> In contrast, Senator Rod Grams has called recreational programming "political pork <br /> barrel...and wasteful spending" (Guthrie, 1994). <br /> The Value of Recreational Proaramminq <br /> Community recreation services provide enjoyable, interesting and challenging <br /> • recreation opportunities that "enhance the well-being and healthy development of <br /> participants and enrich community life" (Smith, 1991, p. 21). According to a 1991 <br /> Office of Technology Assessment Report on Adolescent Health, the participatory value <br /> of organized recreation includes: <br /> Appropriate use of discretionary time; potential for adult guidance; <br /> possible reduction of subjective distress; opportunities for learning life skills and <br /> social competence;.opportunities to work; and possible reduction in substance <br /> abuse, especially among disadvantaged youth (Smith, 1991, p. 23). <br /> Although it has not been conclusively demonstrated that participation in <br /> recreational programs prevents juvenile delinquency, it is generally accepted that <br /> involvement in wholesome recreational programs can serve as a primary element of <br /> • prevention (Smith, 1991). Smith also noted that adolescent needs for thrills, <br />