STUDY: MOST PARENTS ARE WILLING TO GIVE THEIR TEENS A DRUG TEST

A majority of parents of teens are willing to ask them to take a home
drug test, according to a recently released survey from the nonprofit
drug-prevention group, notMyKid.

Two-thirds of parents of teenagers are willing to ask their child to
take a home drug test as a prevention method according to the survey
of 2,064 adults nationwide.

It also applauds parents for being proactive in talking regularly
with their children about the perils of drug abuse.

"It is our responsibility as parents to do everything in our power to
protect our children from the perils of drug abuse, and we believe
that fostering greater communication between parents and their
children coupled with utilization of a home drug test are the keys to
preventing drug abuse and addiction, said Debbie Moak, co-founder of notMYkid.

"This survey underscores that parents realize the importance of early
communications with their children and are open to the use of a home
drug test to keep their children safe and drug free."

The vast majority of parents talk to their kids about drug abuse on a
weekly or monthly basis, the survey says.

It also found that a quarter of parents either have not had those
discussions at all or did not begin discussions until their children
were in high school.

This survey is part of notMYkid's activities around Red Ribbon Week,
which began this week and ends Oct. 31. It focuses on educating
parents and supporting ways to prevent youth from using illegal drugs
or legal drugs illegally.

notMYkid has received funding from an at-home drug test manufacturer
as part of a program to encourage parental involvement, including
home testing, in drug abuse prevention. Additional information:
www.notmykid.org.