Drug-Free Youth

ROYAL CITY - Royal High School wrestling coach Randy Miller and students from throughout the Royal School District have committed themselves to creating a drug-free community.

The Washington Drug-Free Youth (WDFY) program is not new for coordinator Miller. He headed the same program at Riverside High in Spokane for 14 years. He presented it to students at a recent assembly.

WDFY is a voluntary drug testing program. About 100 students appeared for the first sign-up and testing day last Friday, hosted by hospital district volunteers, school staff and PTO members.

"The kids got maple bars after testing," Miller said. "They will receive WDFY t-shirts when the results arrive."

WDFY is a non-profit organization dedicated to building safe and healthy communities. It is supported by Confluence Health Care and Grant County Hospital District No. 7 (Royal City).

Washington is the 22nd state to offer a Drug-Free Youth Program. There are 28-youth led chapters in eastern Washington, and Royal is the first in central Washington.

WDFY offers youths in grades 6-12 an incentive to become or remain drug-free through positive reinforcement. They are given the opportunity to participate in fun activities and receive discounts from local merchants.

"Businesses benefit from having drug free youth programs in the community. We are growing a drug free workforce," Miller said.

WDFY members are drug free and prove it by submitting to random drug tests throughout their membership, Miller noted.

WDFY offers a chance for the community to become involved in the lives of youths and encourages program supporters and their families to attend WDFY activities, events, and community service projects.

According to Miller, WDFY receives its testing through donations from Grant County Hospital District No. 7 and P.A.L.M. WDFY is also supported by a Department of Education grant as well as state and federal funding.

WDFY asks merchants to agree to become a supporter. They sign an agreement to make donations to the program or to offer discounts to youths who present their membership card.

Parents of students who wish to participate are asked to sign an agreement that gives consent to collect and have tested a sample of urine to determine whether or not their child shows freedom from drug use.

The agreement states that the parent understands that his or her child has volunteered to be drug screened as a requirement for membership in the WDFY Program.

The agreement states that all testing is confidential and the results are not reported to the police or school officials other than Miller.

"Results will never become part of a student's permanent record," The agreement states.