News (Media Awareness Project) - New Zealand: Balance Needed Between Respect And Concern: McClay |
| Title: | New Zealand: Balance Needed Between Respect And Concern: McClay |
| Published On: | 2003-04-07 |
| Source: | Otago Daily Times (New Zealand) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-20 20:38:09 |
BALANCE NEEDED BETWEEN RESPECT AND CONCERN: MCCLAY
Drug Test Kit 'Maybe A Deterrent'
COMMISSIONER for Children Roger McClay said he would welcome use of a home
drug test kit if it was a way to help prevent drugs ruining young people's
lives.
The kit, aimed at giving parents a way to find out whether their children
are using drugs, has gone on sale in New Zealand.
Called DrugCheck5, it is being marketed in this country by "drug prevention
company" Prove It. Managing director Nicky Doherty said the kit worked on a
urine test and took five minutes to give indications on marijuana, cocaine,
amphetamine and methamphetamine, and opiates heroin and morphine.
The kit was mainly aimed at parents of 13 to 17-year-olds.
Mr McClay said the rights and dignity of young people had to be respected,
and parents should not be invasive or sneaky in using such a kit.
But respect for young people had to be balanced against the desire and
responsibilities of parents to keep their children safe.
"Maybe if children and young people know their parents are concerned and
may check, it maybe a deterrent," Mr McClay said.
Drugs were high on the list of concerns, even among sixth and seventh
formers themselves, that were discussed with him as he travelled around the
country.
Ms Doherty said she considered bringing in the kits 18 months ago but at
that time thought resistance to the idea would have been too strong.
Now, with the upsurge in methamphetamine use and the crime associated with
it, she believed the kits would meet with greater acceptance.
A qualified nurse who was now a full-time mum, Ms Doherty said she had
friends and family who had lost friends and family to drug use.
Education and lobby group the Parents Centre fears the drug testing kit
could destroy relationships between parents and teenagers.
In a statement, Parents Centre said the test failed to address the real
need of parents to develop strong channels of communication with their
children.
"Resorting to drug testing is the best way to destroy a relationship with a
teenager. What happens after the test, whether positive or negative?" - NZPA
Drug Test Kit 'Maybe A Deterrent'
COMMISSIONER for Children Roger McClay said he would welcome use of a home
drug test kit if it was a way to help prevent drugs ruining young people's
lives.
The kit, aimed at giving parents a way to find out whether their children
are using drugs, has gone on sale in New Zealand.
Called DrugCheck5, it is being marketed in this country by "drug prevention
company" Prove It. Managing director Nicky Doherty said the kit worked on a
urine test and took five minutes to give indications on marijuana, cocaine,
amphetamine and methamphetamine, and opiates heroin and morphine.
The kit was mainly aimed at parents of 13 to 17-year-olds.
Mr McClay said the rights and dignity of young people had to be respected,
and parents should not be invasive or sneaky in using such a kit.
But respect for young people had to be balanced against the desire and
responsibilities of parents to keep their children safe.
"Maybe if children and young people know their parents are concerned and
may check, it maybe a deterrent," Mr McClay said.
Drugs were high on the list of concerns, even among sixth and seventh
formers themselves, that were discussed with him as he travelled around the
country.
Ms Doherty said she considered bringing in the kits 18 months ago but at
that time thought resistance to the idea would have been too strong.
Now, with the upsurge in methamphetamine use and the crime associated with
it, she believed the kits would meet with greater acceptance.
A qualified nurse who was now a full-time mum, Ms Doherty said she had
friends and family who had lost friends and family to drug use.
Education and lobby group the Parents Centre fears the drug testing kit
could destroy relationships between parents and teenagers.
In a statement, Parents Centre said the test failed to address the real
need of parents to develop strong channels of communication with their
children.
"Resorting to drug testing is the best way to destroy a relationship with a
teenager. What happens after the test, whether positive or negative?" - NZPA
Member Comments |
No member comments available...
