Home drug-testing kits to be made available to Goshen parents

by Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)

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Free home drug-testing kits may be made available to Goshen Middle School parents as part of a grant-funded program called

Free home drug-testing kits may be made available to Goshen Middle School parents as part of a grant-funded program called "Project 7th Grade." (WSBT photo)

By WSBT Interns

Story Created: Sep 23, 2008 at 2:34 PM EST

Story Updated: Sep 24, 2008 at 10:13 PM EST

GOSHEN — Goshen educators are looking into a new drug prevention program for middle school students. Parents could soon be given the opportunity to use a free home drug-testing kit as a prevention tool.

The grant-funded program is known as Project 7th Grade.

"It’s not that we're saying that there's a problem in Goshen; this is a new concept. But what it does, is it offers parents a tool. If anything, it’s a conversation piece," said Kevin Miller, the resource officer at Goshen Middle School who would oversee the program.

He says the program is aimed at seventh graders because that's the age a child is most likely to start experimenting with drugs.

"It’s totally voluntary. We're not saying the parents have to do this. This is just a service that I am helping provide our community to help parents with their children with issues like this,” Miller explained.

Students can also use the program as a way to fight peer pressure.

"They can actually tell their friend, 'Hey, you know what? My parents have one of these kits at home, and if I come home acting a certain way they're going to use this kit and they're going to find out,'" Miller said.

Some Goshen parents like the idea.

“I think it's a good concept," said Matt Katzer. "[But] I think if there's good communication in the home it's not needed."

“I think it's a great idea and parents can choose whether or not to use this tool," Jane Fought said.

Parents interested in the program would be required to attend a 45-minute orientation class. Sign-up for the class would be available during parent-teacher conferences.

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