Pubdate: Mon, 30 Jul 2001
Source: The Southeast Missourian (MO)
Copyright: 2001, Southeast Missourian
Contact: http://www.semissourian.com/opinion/speakout/submit/
Website: http://www.semissourian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1322
Author: The Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

POLICE DEPARTMENT BUYS DRUG-TEST KITS FOR PARENTS

WASHBURN, Ill. -- Money seized in a drug case is being used to 
purchase drug-screening kits for parents worried about their 
children's substance abuse.

The Washburn Police Department is buying at-home marijuana and 
cocaine testing kits, which take just minutes to screen urine for 
chemicals found in the drugs. The kits are being offered free and 
anonymously to any Washburn-area parent who suspects their child may 
be using drugs.

"The idea just popped out of my Italian head one day that this would 
be the ideal opportunity to spend drug confiscated money in a 
positive manner," said Washburn Police Chief Ron Rizzo, who purchased 
50 test kits for $200.

"It will certainly send a message out to young people that we're 
going to do this, and if they're going to experiment with drugs, they 
may be caught not only by the police, but also by their own parents," 
Rizzo said.

Money to purchase the kits was seized during a traffic stop in 
February, he said.

James Morrison, 40, of Hurst, was stopped for speeding. After 
Morrison surrendered a small amount of marijuana, police searched his 
car and allegedly found $16,000 in drug-tainted bills, Rizzo said.

Morrison was charged with misdemeanor possession of 10 to 30 grams of 
marijuana and is awaiting trial, police said.

The money was confiscated and eventually distributed to the town and 
various state agencies, as required by law, Rizzo said.
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