Pubdate: Sat, 28 Jul 2012 Source: Sturgis Journal, The (MI) Copyright: 2012 The Sturgis Journal Contact: http://www.sturgisjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1481 Author: Terry Katz JUDGE, ELKS ASSEMBLE CARE KITS FOR DRUG-ENDANGERMENT SITUATIONS Sturgis, Mich. - An $800 grant from the Elks National Foundation is helping police and on-call Child Protective Services workers be better prepared on drug raids. On Wednesday, volunteers from the Sturgis Elks lodge packed 100 bags of disposable items that can be used if children are affected by a raid. Bags were also packed for adults. Each bag includes soap, wash towels, pediatric gowns, disposable gloves, seat covers and garbage bags. Small blankets and bottled water were also donated. St. Joseph County Probate Judge Thomas Shumaker stopped at the Elks after he went to his home in Sturgis to gather several plastic storage tubs. He was pleased to see volunteers doing the assembly work and said the project fits protocol on how to handle kids and adults in methamphetamine situations. "Sometimes an ambulance is not at the scene when there is meth involved," said Shumaker. "This helps our on-call workers who are in their own cars." Police also will carry disposable bags in their vehicles. Shumaker said it would be good if 100 bags were not needed to assist drug-endangered children and adults in St. Joseph County. No toys were included because there wasn't enough space. Elks volunteers included Stacy Sheehan, chaplain; Frank and Mary Kay Schultz, Kelly Eaton and exalted ruler Natalie Boland. Boland said there is still money from the grant that will go toward future projects. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom