Helping Boone County Youngsters Avoid Drugs
Helping Boone County Youngsters Avoid Drugs Save Email Print
Posted: 9:40 PM Aug 28, 2008
Last Updated: 9:42 PM Aug 28, 2008
Reporter: Amanda Barren
Email Address: amanda.barren@wsaz.com

A | A | A

BOONE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Parents of teens and even those "tweens" know peer pressure is everywhere.

When it comes to talking to kids about drugs and alcohol, you just have to hope your message is loud and clear.

Eric Price plays center for Scott High School's football team, so there is pressure to play well. But the pressures that he and other teens feel daily are likely greater than those on the gridiron.

Now, Boone County middle and high schools have drug-testing kits -- all a parent has to do is ask. There is also a saliva-based alcohol test available. The tests are approved by the FDA and similar to what some people might have at their workplaces.

The project is available at no cost to taxpayers. It is being funded with drug-forfeiture money, as well as with funds from the concealed weapons fund and private donations.

More Stories
BREAKING NEWS: No Survivors in Wayne County Plane Crash, Crews Say

A Thousand Byrds

July 4th TEA Party

A Different Type of Strip Mining Protest

Double Header at Appalachian Power Park Sunday, Followed by Fireworks

Charleston Fireworks Earlier than Scheduled

Worm Wiggles Way Out of Faucet

Elderly Woman Dies After Car Crash

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
By posting this comment I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy:
You must agree to the Terms of Service to continue.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: Al on Sep 2, 2008 at 11:20 PM
I agree with Cheri's comments. I believe the Sheriff and Board of Ed. are leading the way and "starting to bring good things to Boone Co."

Posted by: Cheri on Sep 2, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Congratulations to the Board of Ed and the Sheriff for their efforts to stop a systemic problem. If only the parents would start Drug Ed at home and care enough to snoop. Seems to me, as a lifelone Boone Countian, most citizenry don't want to get involved, but are very quick to blame the sheriff and his deputies. More shame to the County Commissioners for failing to fund law enforcement realistically as well as other important projects. Kids in our county do not have nearly enough positive activities to choose from and so the lure of drugs is somewhat understandable. ABA 2010

Posted by: J on Aug 30, 2008 at 06:05 PM
If drugs stop in Boone county, how will the local economy survive?

Posted by: Phil on Aug 30, 2008 at 10:46 AM
To Anonymous on 8-29, where would you suggest that a person move to that would not have drugs in their area. That's a foolish attempt to make a wisecrack about Boone County, that's not very wise. As far as drugs, Boone has it's problems, as does everywhere, but is a lot better off than most places. Instead of bashing on them, try looking in your own back yard. Good job sheriff and schools, keep up the good work. Sounds like most of the kids are up for this too.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2008 at 05:26 PM
Helping Boone County youngsters avoid drugs? Move out of Boone County.

Posted by: Jess on Aug 29, 2008 at 01:40 PM
The fact of the matter is there are always gonna be dealers as long as there is demand for them stop the kids from doing the drugs then the dealers will leave.

Posted by: AL on Aug 29, 2008 at 01:40 PM
At least the School Board and Sheriff Dept are trying to do something the Boone County Commission pretty much does nothing at all for kids.

Posted by: sharon on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:54 AM
what boone county schools are doing is wonderful.....I wish ALL schools would consider this. i would like to know more on this.

Posted by: Daryl on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:12 AM
I all ways thought that if you wanted to stop the druds from flowing into your conty was to arrest the dealers. If the supply of drugs is no longer there than the county wins the battle over the dealers.

Posted by: Ben on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Looks like a good plan to me and it sounds like those folks in Boone Co. are getting together to do something good working with parents, instead of trying to cram something down their throats, like the mandatory testing other places are suggesting for students. Parents are more likely to do this in the privacy of their home, rather than the results being known by everybody. The Sheriff and schools need commended for developing such a plan. I hope others follow.

Posted by: Anita on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:25 PM
I think the school should also pull radom drug test to, these kids can really fake you outby using eye drops among other thing to throw you off so you will never have any idea that they are doing drug, if you love your kid you'll doing any thing you can to save there life and to let you know they use myspace to make thire plans on how to get out of the house to party with thire friends as they call them. GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE PARENTS and MY GOOD BLESS YOU and YOUR FAMILY.

Posted by: Sereneone on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:15 PM
I lived in Boone county most of my life and was addicted to alcohol and drugs from age 13. I have been clean & sober & living in Charleston for 6 years now. I had a very hard life and went through more than most people can even imagine in their worst nightmares. I really wish this had been available for my parents. My life could have took a dramatic turn!!! I beg the parents--test them, if they don't want to be tested, there is probably something to hide! It only takes one time to become an alcoholic/addict and that is not easy to get out of!!! Please, test your kids. I certainly hope Kanawha county starts this soon!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 at 10:26 PM
I hope this helps ...the amount of teens on drugs in Madison and Danville would shock you. Its not jus a certain group either its jocks popular kids band members doing pills and methadone and crystal meth parents please test your kids who cares if they get mad or feel untrusted make sure they are safe you are their parents not a friend...the two teenagers that died n my step sons class did not look or act like druggies and their parents were shocked they had no idea.

National Headlines - MSNBC.com
  • NYT: Leading clerics defiant on Iran election
    The most important group of religious leaders in Iran called the disputed presidential election and the new government illegitimate on Saturday.
  • Earn our trust or go, Afghans tell GIs

    July 2: A major new offensive in Afghanistan is aimed at a key Taliban stronghold and heroin trafficking center. NBC's Chief Pentagon Correspondent Jim Miklaszewski reports.  (Nightly News)U.S. forces who have moved deep into formerly Taliban-controlled territory in southern Afghanistan this week meet locals who tell them that they won't be won over easily.


  • U.S. misread scale of Honduran rift

    Honduras' President Manuel Zelaya, left, is welcomed by Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez after his arrival in Nicaragua on Monday. Although the U.S. government knew for months that Honduras was on the brink of chaos, officials say they underestimated how fearful some were of president Zelaya and his ally Hugo Chávez.


  • Weary Palin seeks to regain control

    July 4: In a hastily arranged news conference at her home in suburban Wasilla, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin abruptly announced she will formally resign from office at the end of the month. NBC’s Lester Holt and Chuck Todd discuss the possible reasons for the lawmaker’s move.  (Today Show)Why did Sarah Palin step down?  Some of the people close to the Alaska governor say she wanted to regain control of a script that slipped out of her hands when she burst onto the national stage.


  • Ex-QB McNair, reported girlfriend found dead

    Police were working Sunday to unravel the relationship between slain former NFL quarterback Steve McNair and his friend, a 20-year-old woman who was found shot to death alongside him in his downtown condominium.


  • Zelaya returning to Honduras

    A police officer receives the baggage of a passenger outside Toncontin International Aiport in Tegucigalpa on Sunday, after flights were cancelled.Exiled Honduran President Manuel Zelaya has announced his imminent departure for home to reclaim his post even though the interim government of Honduras is vowing to prevent his plane from landing.


  • One trip, three different agendas for Obama

    President Barack Obama, with first lady Michelle Obama, will take a weeklong trip to Russia, Italy and Ghana beginning Sunday night. President Obama is onto his next foreign mission: rebuilding relations with Russia, proving to the G-8 that the U.S. is serious about climate change, and outlining his vision for Africa.


  • Russia to U.S.: Compromise on missile defense

    Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev speaks at the presidential residence Barvikha outside Moscow on Sunday.Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview published Sunday that the U.S. must compromise on plans for a European missile defense shield to get a deal on cutting nuclear warheads.


SearchKOW Business of the Day
WSAZ.com Sponsor Sections & Links
Healthy Tri-State
Live a healthier lifestyle in 2009
SOMC
Very good things are happening here
Moms4Moms
By moms, for moms
WV Lottery
Nightly drawings and numbers
Big Sandy
For all your furniture and appliance needs