DARE LAUNCHES TESTING PROGRAM

The Sturgis Police Department's DARE program is launching an
innovative way to fight drug and alcohol abuse.

Law Enforcement Against Drugs (LEAD) gives parents a tool to
determine if their child is using drugs or alcohol.

Parents often ask police "where can I get my child tested." Now,
within the privacy of their homes, they can preform the test.

Information on the LEAD Program and test kits will be available at
the Sturgis Police Department.

One kit tests for alcohol, the other tests for four different drugs.

Sturgis Director of Public Safety Dave Northrop said "we're not
trying to bust kids, we're trying to give the help they need.

"This will also help reduce peer pressure," Northrop said. "It gives
them an out, 'because they might get tested.'"

The kids allow parents to get involved early in the detection of drugs.

"This empowers the parents," Deputy Chief Dave Ives said. "Parents
can take a test and give it in the privacy of their own home. They
can do it before the police get involved."

Along with the test, kids will be given information from the
Community Healing Center on substance abuse counseling.

The kits will be able to be purchased.The alcohol test kit is $3 and
the drug test kit is $12.

Tests will be available for 30 days or until supplies last.

Anyone with questions can call Sturgis Police at 659-7260.