PUTNAM BOARD CLOSER TO INSTITUTING DRUG TESTS

WINFIELD, W.Va. -- Following the lead of neighboring Kanawha County,
Putnam County School Board is inching closer to instituting a
volunteer drug testing program for middle and high school students
throughout the county.

Sara Whitney, the facilitator for the Drug Endangered Children's Task
Force for Putnam County, said. "Monday, we proposed to the School
Board a program called IDEA, Independent Drug-free Education and
Awareness. It is a voluntary random drug testing service that parents
can sign their children up for through their child's school.

"This program is designed to give parents the ability to determine if
their children are under the influence of any of the most commonly
abused drugs. It's a way for parents to give their children an excuse
to make a positive choice."

Whitney said that when given a "way out," children are more apt to
walk away from temptation than to join the crowd.

"It (drug testing) gives the parents the resources they need, and the
kids a way out and a way to save face with their friends," Whitney
said.

Schools within the city of St. Albans have had a similar program in
place for roughly two years now. According to Vice Principal Richard
Campbell, in St. Albans High School alone, there are about 200
children signed for drug testing. He said he feels certain the program
has had a positive effect on his students and community. Campbell said
St. Albans' program was instituted following drug-related incidents
with students.

Joe Boggs and Associates Inc. of Charleston is currently responsible
for all drug screening completed for Putnam County government offices.
Boggs' group has agreed to provide these services free to the county
school system, if approved by the Board of Education.

The testing would be conducted either at the school or, if parents
feel they have an issue with a child needing to be addressed
immediately, they could contact Boggs' office and actually bring the
child in themselves. Students participating in the program will
receive an ID card to show that they are participants in the program.

With that, local business and community incentives would be put in
place were students could receive perks such as free drinks, food and
other discounts for being a part of the program.

Whitney said the Task Force is trying to avoid what happened in St.
Albans.

"We're trying to take their idea and are taking a proactive approach
instead of being reactive. We also plan to do some drug education to
the fourth and fifth graders to make them aware of what's going on so
when they enter into the sixth grade, they'll know this program is
available.

The Board will meet again at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, due to the
Martin Luther King Day holiday, and drug testing will be back on the
agenda.

If you are unable to attend the Board meeting and have more questions
concerning the specifics of this program, you are encouraged to
contact Sara Whitney at (304) 586-0205, or by e-mail at
swhitney@putnampros.com.