POLICE TAKE PART IN FIRST DRUG TEST

PAINTSVILLE - Mayor Doug Pugh and Paintsville Police Chief Larry VanHoose
were the first to comply Thursday with the new mayor's first executive
order, requiring all city police officers to submit to drug testing.

Five patrolmen were also tested Thursday at the Broadway police station,
and three remaining officers are scheduled to provide urine samples today,
Friday, for analysis. The drug testing for city police officers is being
conducted by Terry Scott, an administrator with the Narcotic Treatment
Program (aka the Methadone Clinic in Paintsville).

The first series of the drug test were conducted Thursday, exactly one week
after Pugh signed the executive order requiring the test. VanHoose, who was
named the city police department's interim chief when Pugh demoted former
chief Doug Wallen and assistant chief Crystal McKenzie, said last week that
requirement for police officers to submit to drug testing will "move the
integrity of this department forward.

"I don't want any doubt on this department," VanHoose added.

Pugh previously said requiring the city police officers to undergo the drug
testing will also "strengthen" the department and "re-enforce" its efforts
to eradicate drugs in the community. All city police officers are required
to submit to the test or face termination from the police force.