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PUTNAM NEWS
Putnam schools to offer optional drug testing program
WINFIELD, W.Va. -- Putnam County parents will soon have the ability to opt their children into a volunteer drug testing program in Putnam County Schools.
Sara Whitney, facilitator for the Drug Endangered Children's Task Force, said the program will test for commonly used substances. The program is a joint operation with Putnam County Schools, the local Department of Health and Human Resources, the Putnam County Sheriff's and Hurricane and Buffalo Police Departments, the Putnam County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and Probation Department and CAMC Teays Valley Hospital, who will provide the random testing. Financial support will be provided by the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce.
The board approved the voluntary random drug testing program in February.
Students participating in the program will receive an ID card to show that they are signed up with the program. In turn, local business and community incentives are in place where students will receive perks such as free drinks, food and other discounts for being registered.
Random testing will take place throughout the school year but participating students suspected to be at risk will also be tested with only parents being informed of test outcomes.
"We also plan to do some drug education for 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," Whitney said.
The organization will have a tent at the Summer Impact Festival from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 17, at Winfield High School.
For more information, contact Sara Whitney at 304-586-0205 or online at sara.whitney@putnamwv.org, or Cpl. W. Jordan at 304-586-0256 or online at wjordan@putnamwv.org.
