"First Step"
Program
First Step
pamphlet
Parents who find what they believe to be drugs can take advantage of
a program offered by the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office called
First
Step.
Chemists in the Sheriff’s Crime
Laboratory will screen any suspected drugs. Parents may submit
powders, pills, plant material, or any other suspect substance. The
analysis will be completed as quickly as possible,
anonymously and at no charge. Criminal
proceedings will not be initiated, regardless of the outcome of the
analysis.
A
parent who finds suspected drugs in their home should call the Crime
Laboratory and advise he/she is interested in the program. Calls
can be made Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
The phone number for the Crime Laboratory is (630)
407-2100.
Parents are not required to provide their name, phone number, or
any other identification. The caller will be told how to properly
package and deliver the substance to the Crime Laboratory. In most
cases the caller will be asked to affix an identification number to
the packaging. This number serves as a safeguard in the event the
parent is stopped by the police while en route to the Sheriff’s
Office. Using this number, the Crime Laboratory can verify that the
parent possesses the substance because he or she is participating in
the
program.
Upon arrival at the Crime Laboratory, a drug chemist will be
assigned to screen the questioned substance for the presence of
cannabis or a controlled substance. In most cases, this is done
while the parent waits for the results. If a chemist is
unavailable, or if the parent does not wish to wait, he or she may
call back to get the results. If drugs are found in the submitted
sample, parents will be encouraged to contact one of the agencies
listed below for intervention options. All substances are retained
by the laboratory for disposal.
DuPage County
Health Department
Youth Outreach
Unit
(630) 627-1700
DuPage County
Department of Human Services
(800) 942-9412
or
(630) 407-6500