The Sycamore Police Department is participating in Law Enforcement Against Drugs, a program that helps parents keep children drug-free.

The department is one of the first in the area to offer this program which provides drug tests at no cost, based on supply.

“We have a few different types of tests to give out,” said Detective Jeff Wig, Sycamore Police Department.

Parents can get their children tested for only cannabis or alcohol, or they can get a test that checks for nicotine, cannabis, alcohol, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin.

“The program is designed to empower parents if they don’t necessarily need the police involved,” Wig said.

The police department does not require any information from the parents about their cwhild, he said.

Each test kit comes with instructions and phone numbers to call in case the child tests positive for anything, Wig said.

The L.E.A.D. program does not report positive results to the police, Wig said.

“We’re not looking to find out who’s doing what. If parents have a concern, we urge them to come down and get a kit,” Wig said.

The Sycamore police bought the tests kits with money donated by various community organizations, Wig said.

The idea for the program originated this summer.

Wig said he ran into a colleague at a conference, the colleague told him about the program and where to get the kits.

Parents can reduce peer pressure by giving kids an “out” when faced with drug, alcohol or nicotine use by testing their children at home.

“I can’t because I might be tested,” provides a forboding excuse for kids that feel pressured, Wig said.

For further information on the program or how to obtain a test kit, contact Detective Wig by phone at the Sycamore Police Department at 895-3435 or by e-mail at [email protected].