TEST KITS: WHERE TO GET THEM, HOW THEY WORK

Stone County Sheriff Michael Ballard says he was having a conversation with
a group of Wiggins business owners when the idea for "Operation Peace of
Mind" came to him.

"We were talking about how parents feel helpless," Ballard said, "about
their kids and drugs. And we were talking about what we could do."

Drug kits seemed like something that would help everyone, "and I hadn't
heard of anyone else around here doing that," Ballard said.

He made contacts through law enforcement, and the businesses financed a new
program that provides drug testing kits to any parent who wants one,
actually to anyone who wants one, for only $7.50.

Wiggins/Stone County businesses that fell in behind Ballard to participate
in the program are White's Pharmacy, Alexander Hardware & Supply, Bank of
Wiggins, Stone Printing, attorney Joel Blackledge, Wilson's Pharmacy, Star
Chevrolet, the RadioShack in Wiggins and the Stone County Enterprise.

"A lot of parents couldn't afford to go get (a kit) at the drugstore,"
Ballard said, "or to take their child to a clinic or the doctor. And when
you go to a clinic, then your anonymity is gone."

The program was introduced this summer, and Ballard said it has enjoyed
some success, "but not as much as I would like. I think it's just a matter
of getting the word out there."

The kits, which are half the price of the cheapest ones available in local
pharmacies, are simple to use, and according to Fredonia Carter in the
sheriff's office, everything you need to know is written or in a diagram on
the package.

They screen for 11 drugs or types of drugs, including cocaine,
amphetamines, methamphetamine and marijuana.

Ballard explained that the kit includes a container for a urine specimen
and a lid in a sealed packet.

"You put the specimen in the cup, turn it upside down for a few seconds and
then let it sit for 5 minutes," he said. Rather like the over-the-counter
pregnancy tests, a chart of color changes that comes with the kit will let
a parent know if his/her child is positive or negative for drugs.

For the sake of comparison, we checked with three pharmacy chains in the
South Mississippi area - Eckerd's, Rite Aid and Walgreen's - and found kits
variously priced from $10 to $60, though Walgreen's reported they had none
for sale the last week of September when we inquired.

The drugstore kits may be a bit more sophisticated, and the prices vary
depending on the number and type of drugs in the screening. One such kit
(the sale price was $17), screened for amphetamine, methamphetamine,
ecstasy, marijuana, cocaine and opiates.

"We even have one for alcohol; that one costs just $2," Ballard explained.
"And these aren't just for citizens of Stone County. They're here for any
parent who wants to use them. The money we raise is just used to replenish
the supply of kits."

Ballard quickly added that the sheriff's department doesn't take names when
kits are picked up, and no one follows up on who purchased a kit: "These
are just to help parents. If your child tests positive, it's up to you to
decide how to handle it. There's no requirement that you notify law
enforcement."

"You know we need to get these kids in their very young formative years -
to teach them about the world and also about their Christian lives," he
said, then he paused and laughed.

"Isn't it funny. We spend our teenage years wanting to be older, and then
we get grown, and we wish we were young again."

If you go

What: Stone County Sheriff's Department

What to ask for: Operation Peace of Mind drug test kits

How much: $7.50 per kit (alcohol test kits, $2)

When: Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Where: Traveling north or south on U.S. 49, look for roadside signs in
Wiggins that read "Regional Correctional Facility," and follow the signs.

Phone: (601) 928-3191; this also is the number to call should you have a
weekend emergency.

- - STONE COUNTY SHERIFF