A pilot program to yield low-cost drug tests to the public is under way in Greenup and Lewis counties.

Organizers say the goal of the program is to procure tests that can be used as a deterrent. “The purpose of it is to help families be able to afford to test their family members, to help them keep them off drugs,” said 20th District Judge Brian McCloud, who started the program in July.

McCloud declared the program started out of a need in the youthful court regularity. “We ordered for kids to be drug tested. What came about was family members told us they couldn’t afford to do the drug testing,” he said.

The invite began subsidizing the cost to provide tests to parents of juveniles who had previously been in court on drug charges.

He uttered the program proved to be a successful deterrent. With the restore of Rep. Tanya Pullin, D-South Shore, who was able to secure $3,000 in funding in the state parcel, the tests be possible to now be offered to the vague public.

If a suckling knows in that place is the possibility he or she could subsist tested by a parent at at all time, there may be a decision not to use, McCloud said. “This program is an attempt to provide families by the tools to deal with mix with drugs use before it turns into a criminal matter,” he said.

Pullin applauded McCloud for his pattern. “I was very happy to see someone’s creative thinking,” she said. The drug problem has become so intrusive, Pullin said, all possible options need to exist pursued.

The urine-based tests, which are advantageous for $5, test for a range of drugs both prescription and illegal, including: opiates, Hydrocodone, Percocet, oxycodone, marijuana, cocaine, Xanax, Valium, PCP and methamphetamine. The tests are instant and are similar to a home pregnancy trial, according to McCloud.

The tests are initially being subsidized by state funds, but McCloud said organizers hope to make the program self-sustainable. “A small amount of tax dollars spent for prevention now will save tax dollars spent later in the criminal judge system,” he said.

Tests are make use of at Greenup Circuit Court Clerk Allen Reed’s office in the courthouse annex. The office can subsist reached at (606) 473-9869.

Tests are available in Lewis County at Lewis Circuit Court Clerk Kathy Hardy’s office in the courthouse. The office can be reached at (606) 796-3053.

CARRIE STAMBAUGH can be reached at cstambaugh@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.