Meth contamination closes Arlee Headstart
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ARLEE — Environmental assessment is underway to determine if Arlee Headstart facilities present a danger to students, after an unused glass pipe was found in the laundry room of the building last week.
According to Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Spokesperson Rob McDonald, low-levels of methamphetamine residue were found in the building after testing was conducted because of the pipe.
“When positive tests came back for low levels of methamphetamine residue in the building, the decision was made to close the school immediately for the safety of the children,” McDonald said. “The facility will remain closed until further testing can be done. The health impacts of these low levels of exposure are not clear to the national medical community. However, staff is working with tribal health in providing health services for families as requested.”
The facility consists of 35 students and 10 full-time staff, who have been left without a place to go because of the shut down.
“Because of the high standards required of the centers, it’s not possible to simply put them in a new location in town, like a new structure or gym,” McDonald said. “Families have options of placing (their child) in … another center, if it fits their schedule. We have centers in each town. It’s been a challenge for each household to find solutions.”
A clean-up company is on the scene this week, but McDonald did not have an estimate as to when the facility would reopen. Law enforcement is investigating, and staff members have offered to take a drug test.
