An alternative to controversial school drug-testing programs gives the responsibility of protecting teens and their privacy back to parents.
The TestMyTeen.com approach provides home-based testing kits to parents and funding to schools. St. Louis (PRWEB) October 2, 2005 -- An alternative to controversial school drug-testing programs gives the responsibility of protecting teens and their privacy back to parents.
The TestMyTeen.com approach provides home-based testing kits to parents and funding to schools. When parents purchase kits online, they create a socially acceptable way for kids to deflect the peer pressure that comes after saying no to drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.
Parents may also direct a portion of revenues to their child's school. See www.TestMyTeen.com. According to Mason Duchatschek, the Executive Director of TestMyTeen.com, the words “My parents test me” stop pushy peers in their tracks. He also says that parents can enjoy relief knowing they can prevent or detect usage prior to addictions setting in and law enforcement officers, school officials, or potential employers finding out.
“In the past, programs dictated by schools targeted only students in extracurricular activities, depleted scarce resources, and turned parents into adversaries instead of allies over privacy,” says Duchatschek. He adds, “It took input from students, teachers, and parents to eliminate those obstacles and suggest necessary improvements.” T
o ensure accuracy, home-based testing kits utilize the same technologies found in medical labs and clinics. Because kits are ordered via the Internet, shipped using nondescript packaging, and administered by parents in the privacy of their home, confidentiality is protected.
A Monitoring the Future Study conducted by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) has revealed that while 53 percent of high school seniors admitted to some drug use, only 18 percent of parents believed their teen had tried drugs.
Consequently, while parents are encouraged to trust their kids, Duchatschek says they need to verify that their trust is warranted. Additional resources for parents and school officials regarding this program are available at
www.TestMyTeen.com.
Revenue-sharing programs are offered to schools that register, free of charge, with the TestMy.Teen.com alliance. NOTE TO EDITOR: Duchatschek available for interview. Contact: Mason Duchatschek, TestMyTeen.com, 1-314-414-5500