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Medford gets novel drug program Parents can take children to police for free test By CHRIS BRISTOL The results are in: Medford was among a handful of Oregon cities picked to participate in a groundbreaking project in which parents can get kids suspected of illegal drug use tested free by the police. 10 agencies to test Police agencies in these eight Oregon cities and two counties will participate in a drug-testing pilot project: Coquille, Independence, La Grande, Marion County, Medford, Newberg, Prineville, The Dalles, Umatilla, Union County Source : Oregon Association Chiefs of Police The much-anticipated list of eight cities and two counties was announced late Wednesday by the Salem-based Oregon Association Chiefs of Police, which wants to expand on the success of a confidential yet controversial drug-testing program in Molalla that may be the first of its kind in the nation. The project is experimental, and details have yet to be hammered out, said Kevin Campbell, executive director of the chiefs association. "I think we're going to find out this year what works and what doesn't work," he said. "We're going to learn a lot." Police in Molalla, a Portland-area community of 5,800 in southern Clackamas County, began offering fast-result urine tests for free in 1997 after learning of a now-defunct and more expensive program sponsored by the Oregon State Police lab in Coos Bay. The program has drawn fire from civil liberties groups, which question the accuracy of such tests -- results are usually ready in less than 10 minutes -- and worry that police might target children who test positive. But proponents say such testing offers parents effective, early intervention to combat drug use. Molalla police report 82 of 110 youths screened in the first two years tested positive, although new 1999 numbers showed only 23 out of 43 tests were positive. "We've found that parents don't usually bring their kids in for drug testing unless they have pretty good reason to suspect there is a problem," said Cam Steigleder, Molalla's juvenile officer. Marijuana is "far and away" the most common drug that shows up on the tests, followed by methamphetamine, Steigleder said. The department also tests for cocaine and opiate derivatives. Steigleder said police take no action against children who test positive, and test results are kept confidential. Counseling and drug treatment referrals are given on the spot. "The idea is to address problems up front," she said. "If we can get some early intervention, maybe we can help families get it turned around." Campbell agreed. "It's really a prevention program," he said. "This helps to bring things to a positive solution, as opposed to waiting for an arrest or something more tragic." Participants in the project were culled from 21 applicants, with selections made on a regional basis, Campbell said. Medford was the biggest city that made the cut, joining Coquille as the only Southern Oregon representatives. The police chiefs association, along with the Oregon State Sheriffs Association and Oregon State Police, will underwrite the cost of the program initially. Participant cities must seek local funding thereafter. A Medford police spokesman was unavailable for comment. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA