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Probation staff report high positive rates in routine testing; juvenile cross‑jurisdiction detention case under review
Summary
Valley County probation staff told commissioners they conducted 115 drug tests last month (probation clients only), with multiple positive results across substances; a new juvenile detention case crossing two jurisdictions will remain in custody pending review and could stay several weeks.
Director Phillips updated the Board of County Commissioners on May 12 about probation department activity, saying the department conducted about 115 drug tests last month for clients under probation supervision and that positive results were recorded across several substances.
Phillips said the positives included eight alcohol results, 10 amphetamine/methamphetamine positives, eight for THC, one cocaine positive (which she said involved a juvenile), and two positives for opiates. She said probation staff decide subsequent case actions based on case‑management stage and that prosecution and the court are notified when appropriate.
Phillips emphasized the office is a probation‑only testing site and that it has partnered with child‑protective services on a case‑by‑case basis when CPS requested drug testing for family reunification. She said the department lacks the staffing to be an all‑purpose community drug‑testing center and described a policy that out‑of‑county probation orders must be formally authorized before the Valley County office will test someone from another jurisdiction; otherwise the person is turned away because testing without a client waiver implicates Fourth Amendment concerns.
Phillips also told the board about a recent juvenile placed in detention late last week. She described the case as complex, crossing two jurisdictions, and said a review will occur this week; placement decisions and potential alternatives are under discussion and the juvenile may remain in detention for a couple of weeks while agencies coordinate.
On training, Phillips said the department will hold ARCON (self‑defense tactics) refresher training for juvenile and misdemeanor staff later this month to keep practical skills current. She described other community outreach and intercounty collaboration, including a recent visit to Blaine County to compare practices.
No formal action was taken on these updates; commissioners asked clarifying questions and were informed about department priorities, staffing constraints and how test results feed into sanctions, treatment referrals and court notifications.
