Portage looks for drug program money

PORTAGE, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Despite tight budgets, Portage is trying to figure out how to pay for a new anti-drug program.

The Portage Drug Awareness Committee started looking for ways to cut down on teen drug abuse after recent Portage Central graduate Amy Bousfield died in June from a heroin overdose.

Now recently released 911 tapes of Amy's mother calling for help are serving as a strong reminder of why something needs to be done. "My daughter's friend just woke me up and said that she's making really weird noises and she's like, ahhhhh and it's all sweaty and it's all wet around her and I don't know what it is," said Bousfield's mother.

"If the community believes and we believe this a real problem, then it is our obligation to find the resources to support it," said Melanie Kurdys, Portage School Board Trustee.

The district already cut $400,000 to balance the budget.

School Board trustees say the district's $75 million budget should provide enough wiggle room for new anti-drug programs.