In an attempt to draw parents to Comsewogue High’s abuse workshop in New York State, school board members admittedly advertised free home drug test kits.  100 kits were donated by the Massachusetts company, First Check Diagnostic Corp., to be distributed by the district’s Substance Abuse Task Force with the intention of testing teens for traces of marijuana and methamphetamine.  Additionally, 100 kits that use saliva for alcohol testing were donated by DrugTestYourTeen.com

Many of the parents were upset at the fact that the meeting wasn’t originally focused more on the information they sought about signs of abuse and rehabilitation and treatment options, rather than a standoffish approach of testing their teens with free home drug-test kits.  For example, the promotion of the meeting could have placed more of an emphasis on one of the featured speakers, who lost her son to overdose at only 18.

Superintendent Joseph Rella said, “We are not endorsing drug testing at home by making these kits available,” adding, “Our philosophy is: Testing isn’t treatment. If a parent suspects his child is involved with drug abuse, we recommend they see a medical professional.”  Still with such a strong presence of drug testing kits, it made it difficult for many in attendance to separate from the real purpose: drug awareness and prevention.