CAUTION URGED OVER DRUG TEST KIT

Parents are being urged to be cautious before using a drug testing kit whic
h
is soon to be available in the UK.

The Home Office warns the Sure Screen kit, which is made in the Irish
Republic, could damage relationships between parents and their children.

The urine testing device costing =A312 can detect the presence of six drugs,
including cannabis, heroin and ecstasy.

A Home Office spokesman said it was a decision for parents but advised them
to support drug education in schools.

Thousands of Sure Screen kits - made by Hunter Diagnostics - have already
been sold in the Irish Republic.

The kit, which will be available in the UK in three to four weeks' time, ca
n
differentiate between the different drugs in a person's system.

A more expensive version can detect 10 drugs, including valium and
anti-depressants.

The Home Office spokesman said: "It is for parents to determine whether or
not to make use of drug testing kits, but we do advise they consider very
carefully the effect that such an intervention may have on their
relationship.

"We would encourage parents to support the drug education programmes
delivered in school and to seek advice and support for themselves from the
growing number of services."

Adfam, a charity which supports families affected by drug and alcohol
misuse, said discovering drug use could be "frightening" but talking openly
and honestly with children was the best policy.

'Valid excuse'

Chief executive Vivienne Evans said: "Only one in 10 people who experiment
with drugs ever go on to problematic use.

"Home testing may simply repress or delay this process and maybe leave the
experimentation to a time when children are more vulnerable or exposed."

But Hunter Diagnostics' marketing manager John Muller told BBC News Online:
"If the parent is liberal and relaxed about cannabis, they will still be
able to test for the presence of other drugs, such as heroin and cocaine.

"It allows people to keep their difficulties in house and to fix the proble
m
before it gets out of hand.

"It also gives children a valid excuse not to take drugs and still stay
cool, by saying 'My old man's a lunatic, he tests me'."