03/21/2007

Think your kid's on drugs? County can help you find out

Program provides free at-home tests to parents

By CRAIG McCOOL

cmccool@record-eagle.com

CHARLEVOIX — A new county program gives parents who suspect their teens of abusing drugs free access to drug tests.

The program is funded through a Charlevoix prosecutor's office grant, but test results are confidential and are not shared with law enforcement officials, said Scott Kelly, who heads the Bay Area Substance Education Services (BASES) teen center in Charlevoix.

"It's for the family that wants to do some early intervention,” Kelly said. "I'd say we get four or five phone calls a week from concerned parents. There's a whole lot of kids that are using and parents who are frustrated and don't know what to do.”

The program was launched on pilot basis late last year and the county recently approved $500 to keep it going through 2007, said chief assistant prosecutor Shaynee Fanara. The money comes from court-ordered prosecution fees in drunken-driving cases.

"Our office and law enforcement will never find out who's using this fund. It's strictly information for the parent to be able to use,” Fanara said.

Urine tests, which can be administered at home or at BASES, cost the teen center $15 each, Kelly said. They screen for marijuana, amphetamines, opiates and cocaine, among other things, with results typically returned within a few days. Both guardians and teens must sign consent forms.

"Everybody wants to scream personal (privacy) rights. Some folks will get up in arms and want to have a big debate,” Kelly said. "But for those families that would like more resources, here's one that's available.”

Kelly said there have been 12 tests under the program since December, with "a couple of surprises.”

"There were two instances where the parents were suspicious of marijuana use and one came back positive for cocaine, and another for prescription drug use,” Kelly said.

Fanara said parents shouldn't be afraid to take advantage of the new testing programs, as well as existing recovery resources in place at BASES.

More information on the teen center can be found at www.basesteencenter.org.