Drug Tests Not Wise, Teens Say

Genesee County

The idea of parents purchasing drug-testing kits from high schools is
an overzealous attempt to curb youth drug use, some area high school
students said.

"I have a big problem with a school offering testing kits because
school issues and home issues should be kept separate, and this goes
too far," said Lauren Powers, 18, a senior at Grand Blanc High School.

"If a school has a problem with a student using drugs, they should
take care of it, and if a parent thinks something is going on, it's
their job to do something. I suppose it's a good threat for parents to
use, but that doesn't seem like good parenting."

Powers' comments are in reaction to news that Davison High School and
Davison-area police stations began selling low-cost drug testing kits
to parents concerned that their child might be using drugs including
alcohol, marijuana, Ecstasy and prescription medications.

Davison is the first school district to offer the kits in a school
building, but David Prichard, the owner of TDS Inc., which is
providing the kits to Davison and 25 other communities in Michigan,
said other districts likely will follow suit.

"I think the approach in Davison represents what's going to be
happening over the next few years as far as schools and drug
prevention," Prichard said. "Most schools will help spread the word
that the kits are available through local police, but the issue is
becoming so intense that the schools can't hide it anymore."

Davison sold a dozen kits before the new effort was officially
launched last week, and police in Macomb County's Chesterfield
Township sold 10 in the first week of its program.

Police Officer Becky Pollack, a school resource officer for
Chesterfield Township's two school districts, said offering the kits
at school will make it easier for parents to see if their drug
concerns are justified.

"People are usually apprehensive to come to a police department and
talk to an officer about drug problems with their kids, so it's great
for a district to be so involved," Pollack said.

"Here we leave it to the parents to inquire about what's available to
them, but if what (Davison) does saves one kid and helps a family
regroup, then it's done its job."

Still, some students question the lasting effects of a suspicious
parent armed with a urine cup.

"It's good if parents didn't know what means (to test) were out there,
but it might lead some to overreact and be too suspicious," said Torie
Dorman, 17, a junior at Flushing High School.

"If you don't have a problem, it's a way to prove that your parents
are wrong, but what does it say when you aren't using drugs and your
parents accuse you and want you to take this test?"