"Drug Free Workplace Specialist"
"Drug Free Schoolplace Specialist"
"Drug Free Homeplace Specialist"

Why A School Policy On Substance Abuse?
At Home Drug Testing
Why Test Your Child?
Talking with Your Kids

On June 27, 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ruling that allows public schools to randomly drug test students involved in extracurricular activities. This has given the green light to public schools across the country to use random drug testing procedures.

There may be no greater threat to schools and family than that of a substance abuse. Millions of Americans of all ages admit to the regular use of illicit drugs, the abuse of alcohol, and the misuse of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications. The problem is prevalent among people of all circumstances. Substance abuse knows no boundaries, be they race, age, religion, education, economic, or geographic.

A family and school policy against drugs can help a community solve the problem of substance abuse. How?

For many years, businesses have been successfully applying substance abuse prevention to help establish drug free workplaces. In almost every instance, these programs begin with a policy that prohibits the use of illegal drugs and the abuse of alcohol, training for supervisors and education for employees, and are maintained with drug testing as a way of deterring use and identifying those who need help. A school/family policy against drugs works in a similar way. Just like the workplace policy against drugs, the family/school policy includes a purpose statement, identifies prohibited behavior, lists the consequences for violations of the policy as well as the rewards for policy compliance, and explains what is expected of each individual. The policy requires parents/teachers to become educated about substance abuse, to talk to their kids/students about drugs, and to ensure everyone's compliance.

As with industry and business faced with the substance abuse problem, there is much at stake for the school and family. Responsible parents and teachers know that drugs can destroy family stability today and seriously jeopardize their children's future success and physical and mental health. The policy against drugs helps everyone understand three important things:

• That parents love their children enough to actively take a stand against drugs;
• That everyone in the community plays an important role in keeping children drug-free; and
• That no one is alone in the fight against drugs and alcohol - family, school and community are there for the children and students, both to protect them from drugs and to help those who are suffering with substance abuse.

AT HOME DRUG TESTING CUPS
NMS in partnership with Roche Diagnostic/Varian, Inc. offers Rapid Drug Testing kits for home and school use. Our goal is to provide parents, teachers, administrators and students with the tools to create a drug free environment.

Suspecting is one thing, knowing for sure is another! Twenty years of scientific research have shown that direct parental involvement in the life of your child is the biggest factor in increasing the odds that a child will remain drug free. You earn the right to give your children structure and rules by being involved with their lives at home and at school. With rapid drug testing, parents and schools now have the tools to create and enforce a truly drug free environment. Roche/Varian products, along with NMS, offer an accurate and fast, easy-to-use, no mess system. Now your child can take the test in the privacy of your own home and you will then know for sure. You can then get him/her the help they need.

WHY TEST YOUR CHILD?

• At least 2.4 million young Americans will use drugs and alcohol this year.
• The proportion of eighth graders using drugs has almost doubled since 1991.
• Long-term studies of teens and their patterns of drug use show that very few young people use other drugs without first trying marijuana.
• Home Drug Testing can help create a truly drug free environment.
• Most parents first learn of their child's drug use at the jail cell, the hospital emergency room or the autopsy table.
• Home/School drug testing is a deterrent

In a recent survey conducted by University of Michigan research scientists, more than half of high school seniors admitted to using illicit substances at some point in their lives. Kids know less today about the risks of using drugs then they did a decade ago. The reason: schools, the media and parents have let their guards down. With the onset of new nationwide legislation, drug testing may be the best thing that ever happens to your school or home. It can eliminate guesswork and help you define the problem and work towards a solution. More importantly, you can give your child a viable reason to reject peer pressure and say NO! Plus you can get the child testing positive the help they need.

If you suspect your child is using drugs or alcohol call and speak with one of our substance abuse professionals. Substance abuse and addiction is a national health crisis affecting millions of individuals. Not only does the person abusing alcohol and drugs suffer, but so do their family, friends and community in which they live.

NMS offers the test kits for home and school use. Please call or contact us for additional information.