I am following up on Mr. Darrell Norman's 7/7 email to you.
 

These are questions about your June 21 column that are not yet answered and I am interested in them:
 

Q. Mr.Norman wrote: In the article, you say: "The Child Lures Community Plan is the most comprehensive approach to preventing sexual abuse and abduction available today."

What is the basis for that conclusion? How many programs were studied? On what criteria were the programs evaluated? 

Answer: That is a conclusion based on my personal experience witnessing a demonstration of the Child Lures program. Although I have been made aware of other programs using puppets to teach children of the dangers of sexual predators, Child Lures is the only program of its kind that I have seen, basing its material on over 1,000 interviews with people who have preyed upon children. The [$]4,000 state appropriation to Putnam County Schools is for a pilot program. There were no studies or evaluations of any comparable programs that may or may not exist.

Q. Later in the article you modify your orginal statement by saying: "Child Lures is the most comprehensive program I have seen..."
 
What programs, other than Child Lures, have you reviewed?

A. Although I have been made aware of other programs using puppets to teach children of the dangers of sexual predators, Child Lures is the only program of its kind that I have seen.
 
Q. Mr. Norman wrote: "The 1998 state budget includes $4,000 for the implementation of the Child Lures program in Putnam County schools."

Did every county get the same amount? If not, how much did other counties get?
 
A. Putnam County Schools is the only recipient of a grant to implement a Child Lures Pilot Program in Tennessee.

Q. Mr. Norrman asked from what organizations were bids obtained, and what was the basis for awarding the contract to Child Lures?

A. Our legislative attorney who assists us in our work on the state budget advises me that the 1998-99 State budget simply makes available $4,000 to the Putnam County School System for the implementation of a Child Lures pilot program. The State of Tennessee is not involved in contracting or bidding with Child Lures. That is a local matter. You will have to contact Putnam County Schools for more information on the implementation of this State grant.

Q. Mr. Norman wrote: 'Previously, Child Lures materials were provided to Putnam County students through charges to the 13th Judicial District's Economic Crime Fund, meaning the cost of the materials was carried by the District's economic criminals rather than by the honest taxpayers.'
 
Please ask the attorney general for an opinion on whether it is legal to use economic crime funds to stop sexual assaults.

A.