PRESS RELEASE

Bartonville Police Department joins the L.E.A.D. Program

"Give Parents the Power"

Bartonville Police Chief Brian Fengel is proud to announce that it is participating in the Law Enforcement Against Drugs (L.E.A.D.) Program. The mission of L.E.A.D. is to provide law enforcement and community coalitions with a comprehensive program that helps PARENTS keep their children drug free. The program offers information and convenient, affordable drug and alcohol tests that produce IMMEDIATE results in the PRIVACY and safety of the home, and in the event of a positive result, directs them to the appropriate community resources without law enforcement intervention.

Chief Fengel, along with the Bartonville Police Department Victim Advocate, have combined their effort to bring this program to the Village of Bartonville.

L.E.A.D. empowers PARENTS and gives them the ability to monitor their children in the privacy of their own home. Keeping just ONE child out of a substance abuse situation and ultimately a law enforcement situation is worth the effort. Empowered parents, now able to test their children at home, can reduce peer pressure by giving the kids and "out" when faced with drug/or alcohol use. ("I can't because I might get tested.")

L.E.A.D. was created by David Prichard, President of Livonia, Michigan-based TDS (Total Diagnostic Sales), a long time supplier of diagnostic test kits for addiction centers, courts, law enforcement and businesses. Prichard, a father of six girls, said "L.E.A.D. is a simple way for families to detect a drug problem with anonymity before it becomes a police or court issue". The program can also be used to help eliminate drug use as a factor when a change of behavior is seen in a child (decrease in school performance, change in habits, friends, attitude, etc.).

The kits will be available for free of charge for the first 30 days of school to parents in Bartonville schools including Limestone High School students. Confidentiality and the child's anonymity are guaranteed. Kits may be picked up at the Bartonville Police Department, 5918 S. Adams, Bartonville, from Victim Advocate Kathy Ashby, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning August 18, 2005. After the first 30 days the kits will be a $5.00 to $15.00 (depending on the type of kit) donation to the Bartonville Police Department Drug Prevention Fund. If you have any questions, please call Kathy at 697-2323. kashby@bartonvillepd.com

THE GOAL IS TO GIVE PARENTS A TOOL TO HELP RAISE THEIR CHILDREN DRUG FREE.