OLIVE HILL, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Could beating the drug abuse problem among teenagers be as easy as writing "screened and clean" on a T-shirt?

Some area communities are stepping around the school drug testing controversies by turning a problem into a project.

WSAZ.com has the latest on a voluntary drug testing program that gives students and parents the options to act.

It all comes in one community hard hit by floods that received FEMA grant money for economic development.

In Olive Hill, a survey was conducted on how to spend the money.
And from shopkeepers to seniors and from civic groups to cell phone users, everyone said we can't recover or grow here without attacking the pain pill epidemic -- and let's start while they're young.
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At West Carter High School in Olive Hill, just about everyone knows someone who has a drug problem. And many are fed up and fighting back.

Those fighters include the Champions Against Drugs student group that does anti-drug skits in grade schools. And these art class students are fighting back -- sketching some possible T-shirt logos for the upcoming “Screen and Clean” project.

The project plan is to provide take home drug testing kits to requesting parents and -- with parental permission -- give in-school drug tests to students. Every student we talked to says they're in favor of it.

“If there's a party and kids are tempted to do drugs, and the parents might test them when they get home, they'll think twice," student Morgan McGlone said.

Fellow student Sarah Crum said, "It will help the relationship between parents and kids. Because too many kids think they can get away with it – and they shouldn’t get away with it.”

If a student tests negative, he or she gets a T-shirt.

We’re told if the cool and popular kids wear them, and many hope to join the crowd.

If the test is positive, it's not about legal or criminal prosecution, but counseling and help.

All involved believe the “Screen and Clean” project will strengthen the often strained communications between students and their parents, maybe even more.

“If the parents are using drugs, I would say, 'If you test me, then I should be able to test you,' so it's fair for one or the other," student Kansas Cox said.

If the student tests positive with the home kit, the school will test again through a lab. If it's still positive, they will work with the Pathways folks -- offering family treatment and counseling.

There are high hopes for the “Screen and Clean” project -- with West Carter Middle School included -- beginning with a T-shirt design contest.
The project starts with a “Screen and Clean” community forum on Feb. 28 so everyone can get involved and give their input.