Rob Cerato is drug and alcohol free and the Oxford High School senior feels free drug screening kits, available at local Oakland County Sheriff’s substations are a good idea.
‘It would be a good tool for parents especially if they find, in the end, their kids are using and can get help for them,? Cerato said. ‘It’s one more weapon parents can use to keep kids from doing what they want (with drugs or alcohol). But I know some kids that are using might not like it.?
Sheriff’s Sgt. Pete Burkett, substation commander in Addison Township, said drugs and alcohol are an unfortunate part of our culture and both parents and teenagers need assistance in fighting the war on drugs.
To help empower parents, the sheriff’s department is providing free screening kits to test for drugs or alcohol. Purchased with drug forfeiture funds, the kits have been distributed throughout Oakland County Sheriff substations (including Oxford and Addison townships) and are available to parents at no charge.
Three different kits are available ? a single saliva test for alcohol and two separate urine screens to detect a wide variety of drugs including marijuana, opiates, and so-called ‘designer? drugs such as ecstacy.
‘The beauty of this is the tests are free and completely anonymous,? Burkett said. ‘The big thing is for parents to get help for their kids.?
If parents suspect their child might be using drugs, they can stop by the substation and pick up a kit at no risk to the child’s privacy. ‘We don’t want parents to think their kids will get in trouble. It’s completely anonymous? said Burkett. ?(Sheriff’s personnel) are available to parents to explain how the test works and give them information about help agencies, hotlines, or simply answer any questions they may have.?
Although Cerato said using the kits might offend students who are not using drugs or alcohol, thereby causing a ‘rift? between them, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, who is also a parent of teens, said being a parent is the toughest job in America and it’s a parent’s responsibility to know what their kids are doing.
‘It’s not fun sometimes, but that’s what you take on as a parent,? said Bouchard, adding kids often look for an ‘out? from peer pressure exposure to drugs. ‘Sometimes knowing their parents are involved gives kids an excuse and freedom to get out of a bad situation. We know children are facing drugs in the community. It’s a parents job to make sure their children’s space is protected.?
Being involved also means knowing the symptoms of drug or alcohol use. Sheriff’s Detective Ken Alderman, of the Oxford Township substation, said parents should look out for changes in their kids? sleeping habits or hygiene, the presence of drug paraphernalia, or physical signs such as dry mouth, blood shot eyes and reduced coordination. These are possible signals your child may need help. Alderman said marijuana is the problematic drug on the local level but ecstasy and methamphetamines, the so-called ‘designer? drugs, are becoming more popular in rural areas like Oxford and Addison.
According to Alderman, the screening kits also contain valuable information on the warning signs of drug or alcohol use, street names for drugs, and the hazards of drug and alcohol use, all of which parents can use as a guideline. Kits are available in limited supply at the Addison substation (1440 Rochester Road in Lakeville) and Oxford substation (605 S. Lapeer Road).