Health care district offers parents drug test kits for teens
'The police department is providing us the kit to sell because. . . this is a less threatening environment for parents to pick it up.' - Kara Partridge Camarillo Health Care District
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

Parents who may suspect their teenage children are using drugs know how difficult it can be to find a quick and easy way to test their teens for illegal narcotics.

Finding drug test kits may be a little easier for parents thanks to a program being offered by the Camarillo Health Care District in conjunction with the Camarillo Police Department.

The health care district now sells affordable and simpletouse drug test kits. The five-panel urine drug kit tests for marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, barbiturates, including ecstasy, and opiates such as heroin, codeine or morphine.

The kit costs $6 per test. Parents can also pick up a $1 singlepanel drug kit to test for marijuana.

"The police department is providing us the kit to sell because maybe this is a less threatening environment for parents to pick it up," said Kara Partridge, the health care district's chief administrative officer. "We're doing what we can to assist parents in keeping their children safe."

Teenagers who test positive for cocaine, methamphetamine, barbiturates or opiates in front of a police officer will be arrested.

Although it is illegal to be in possession of marijuana, it is not illegal to be under the influence of the drug and teens cannot be arrested on site for a positive reading.

The drug kits are available now at the health care district. Parents cannot purchase both kits; they must buy one or the other. Parents may buy a maximum of 10 drug kits per visit.

By purchasing the tests at the health care district, parents can also save money. The drug tests sold at grocery stores run between $30 to $40. Drug tests can also be administered by private physicians.

Julie Novak, senior deputy and youth services coordinator for the Camarillo Police Department, said the police station sells about 15 to 20 drug kits per month.

"It's very difficult for parents to admit that their child might be using," Novak said. "Once they admit it, then they can get their child help. It also works as a very good tool to hold kids accountable.

"It's a good tool for parents even if their child isn't using drugs. If you randomly test them, this gives kids who might be peer pressured into using drugs a good way out. They can say, 'No way. My mom and dad randomly test me.' We encourage parents, even if their child is a straightA student, to randomly test them so they can tell their friends they can't do drugs."

Novak also wanted parents to know that there are options if their child flunks a drug test.

One of those options is a class that teaches parents how to read the results of the home drug test and what to do in the aftermath of a positive result.

Partridge said the health care district also wants to offer a series of similar classes to the public.

Tackling the issue of drug abuse in a teenager doesn't stop or start with a drug test, Novak said.

"More than a drug kit, we need good parenting and good communication," she said.

For more information, call (805) 388-1952, ext. 100.