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The drugfreecollier.org website lists
local resources such as the Children’s
Advocacy Center of Collier County,
David Lawrence Center and Youth
Haven. Other tips can be found at
notmykid.org.
Parents who don’t want to use an at-
home drug test are encouraged to start
speaking with their children about drugs.
Ask how they feel about their friends who
may have been caught with marijuana.
Find out what they have heard about
alcohol and drugs from teachers or other
students in school. Use television shows
or news reports to start a conversation.
Make it personal by talking about drug
trends from their high school years or a
family member who used drugs.
And, importantly, they should tell
MEMBERS OF THE LHS CORE SOCIETY HAND OUT DRUG TEST KITS their children what the family’s position
is on alcohol and drugs.
FREE AT-HOME DRUG TESTS SIGNS OF DRUG USE

HELP PARENTS…AND KIDS

by Robin F. DeMattia
D rug Free Collier has distributed more than 400 free at-home drug tests since

September, responding to parents who want to do all they can to keep their
children safe.
“On average, parents aren’t aware of their child’s drug use until two years after drug use
starts,” says Ana DiMercurio, assistant director. “This test gives them an opportunity to
intervene as early as possible.” • A drop in grades
And, she adds, it may help prevent a child from using drugs. “If a child is offered drugs, • Isolates from family
they can say, ‘No, I can’t. My parents are crazy enough to drug test me.’ So, it deters drug use. • Poor achievement
• Moods are up and down
Even good kids can give into peer pressure and make bad choices.”
The First Check test, which retails for $40, is a simple urine collection that shows results • Dishonesty
in five minutes. The tests are more than 99 percent accurate, and results may also be verified • Tobacco use
for free by sending the urine collection to First Check. A negative sample does not need to • Change in peer groups
be sent into the lab for further testing. • Draws pot leaves, drugs, or drug
symbols
The kit tests for the 12 most commonly abused drugs: amphetamines, barbiturates,
benzodiazepines, cocaine, Ecstasy, marijuana, methadone, methamphetamine, opiates • Parental defiance
(heroin), Oxycodone, phencyclidine (PCP) and tricyclic antidepressants. It does not test • Red, watery, or glassy eyes
for alcohol. • Uses eye drops to hide red eyes
Kits can be picked up at the Drug Free Collier office, 3003 Tamiami Trail North, Suite • Late or unexplained hours
• Rejection of parental values
303, by calling first at 239-377-0535.
Kits will also be distributed April 25 during the Collier County Public Schools Town • Have found unexplained
Hall on Drug Prevention from 6 to 7 p.m. at the district’s administration center, 5775 paraphernalia
Osceola Trail. • Disappearance of money or
The kits include a family drug prevention plan that outlines signs of drug abuse, has possessions
• Defiance about drug use
pictures of drug paraphernalia, and provides tips for how to talk with teens about drugs.
The national drug prevention program notMYkid recommends implementing in- • Antisocial behavior
home drug testing no later than age 12, because 13 is the average age at which kids begin • Loss of interest in previous
experimentation, and testing monthly. They say middle school students are more likely to hobbies and activities
still respect and listen to their parents, at least more often than a high school student. Courtesy of notmykid.org
If the test is positive, parents move from the prevention to intervention stage.

94 Life in Naples | March 2017