When former Jefferson Hills Councilman Brian Militzer heard about a program geared toward combating drugs and alcohol among the young people there, he knew he had to get involved.
"I'm not involved in politics anymore, but I am still involved in the community," Militzer said. "There's problems with drugs and alcohol in every community, and we wanted to be proactive and help avoid those problems for young people.
"When you're young and dumb, you get into trouble, and a criminal record stays with you forever."
Militzer and four other Jefferson Hills residents and business owners each donated $300 for Jefferson Hills police and the West Jefferson Hills School District to start LEAD -- Law Enforcement/Educators Against Drugs.
LEAD provides police agencies and schools with a program that empowers parents to keep their kids off drugs by providing information and drug and alcohol test kits that produce immediate results.
District Judge Pat Capolupo introduced the program to the borough because she thought it would help the school district and its 3,000 students.
"As an attorney for 33 years, I represented kids involved in drugs," Capolupo said. "LEAD gives parents the chance to test their kids for drugs in the privacy of their own homes."
The drug kits typically cost $15 to $30, but thanks to the donations of Militzer and the others, parents can obtain the kits for free.
"We don't want to know who get the kits, and we don't ask any questions and names won't be given out," said police Chief Martin Reagan. "The parents are given the kits and told how to handle situations.
"Our schools are our number one priority, and the students that are in them. We think this is one more way to help our kids and their families."
The kits can be picked up at Thomas Jefferson High School, 310 Old Clairton Road.
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