Preston County Authorities Team Up to Fight Drugs: Partnership Hopes to Get Grants for Camp

By Kathy Plum, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

Feb. 6–KINGWOOD — Preston commissioners learned Monday about a new cooperative effort to keep kids off drugs. Prevention Partnership is a collaborative effort by the county health department, prosecutor, law enforcement, school system, Division of Health and Human Resources, Preston Memorial Hospital, Family Resource Network, Sisters of St. Joseph and other agencies. County Administrator/Grants Writer Jennifer Funk said it’s “a good group that has been meeting for a while and could act as the board of directors for some other things, such as what [Prosecutor] Mel [Snyder] wants.” Snyder has discussed forming a drug task force and applying for federal funding for drug enforcement efforts. Funk has written two grant applications for the partnership. A $5,000 grant from the Hazel Ruby McQuain Foundation will help cover costs for a summer camp for kids. Pending is an application for $2,000 from the Greater Morgantown Community Trust, also for the camp. “Our concept is to develop summer camps with existing sites in the county in an effort to provide alternative activities,” Funk said. Preston Health Department Director Denise Knoebel said plans are also in the works for an after-prom party for Preston High kids, “to give them something to do besides the things they shouldn’t be doing.” Beverly Keener, regional Tobacco Prevention Control representative, asked commissioners to sign off Monday on another Partnership initiative, “Through with Chew.” Commissioners Vicki Cole, Craig Jennings and Dave Price declared Feb. 18-24 Through with Chew Week as part of the campaign to stop snuff and chewing tobacco use among youth. The average starting age of people who use these forms of tobacco is 8 years old, Keener said. The group will make “Quit Spit Kits” available at Preston Memorial and the Preston Health Department. When it was suggested the kits be placed at schools, Keener said problems could ensue in giving them to juveniles without their parents’ consent. In other action Monday, commissioners approved Circuit Clerk Betsy Castle’s hiring of Ladonna Hershman full time Feb. 15-June 30, while an employee in the office is on family leave. When the regular employee returns, Hershman will continue part time as needed, working no more than 19 hours per week.

She’ll be paid $7.50 per hour initially. The money for a part-time clerk is already in Castle’s budget, so no additional money will have to be budgeted.

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

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