Pubdate: Thu, 02 Nov 2006 Source: Bradenton Herald (FL) Copyright: 2006 Bradenton Herald Contact: http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/58 MANATEE SCHOOLS, SHERIFF TOUT DRUG TEST WEB SITE MANATEE - When Jan Sumner asked a student who had overdosed on six prescription anti-anxiety pills what he learned from the near-death experience, he told her, "Six is too many. I'd be OK with five." "Teens are definitely taking more chances with drugs than we did back in the day," said Sumner, the Manatee school district's program specialist for safe and drug-free schools. "Their rationalization is really scary. It's like a brush with death is not scary enough to them." The school district and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office have responded to stories like that by recommending a Web site - www.testmyteen.com - where parents can order a free test to screen their children for drug use. All they have to pay for is the shipping. The kits detect the most common illegal drugs - cocaine, amphetamine, marijuana, opiates, methamphetamine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, oxycodone, MDMA and propoxyphene. The district's Safe and Drug Free program also received about 1,000 vouchers for the kits to hand out. Sumner doesn't look at the drug testing as a "way to catch" students, but more of a deterrent. "If they know their parents have a testing kit in their medicine cabinet, they're going think before they use drugs. It says, 'In case you're thinking about it, we're prepared,' " Sumner said. "And it's also an out when it comes to peer pressure. Most parents don't mind being the bad guy, especially in these sort of situations." In her position, Sumner has become the expert on current drug trends among teens. Her information comes straight from the source. A new game called "trust" has a grip on her attention. "The kids bring a variety of prescription drugs and place them in a bowl. Then everyone takes a handful," Sumner said. With the Safe and Drug Free School program, Sumner has the opportunity to work with middle and high school students on violence and drug use issues. "The reality is that kids will tell you anything," she said. "We just have to listen. They want us to know." The school district and the sheriff's office have added on their respective Web sites links to www. testmyteen.com. In addition to the testing kits, the Web site offers parents knowledge about teenage drug and alcohol use, as well as family issues and dating topics. It also offers a community forum where parents can discuss these issues. "We really liked this site because it's a parent awareness site," Sumner said. "Our parents really do look for information that can give them guidance with teens and insight as to what's happening in the teen world." The sheriff's office continuously receives drug-related phone calls from parents, said spokesman Dave Bristow. "This Web site is just another tool parents can use," Bristow said. "We get calls from concerned parents all the time asking what they can do if they think their child's on drugs." Sumner says it's time the community realizes that drugs have become part of our society. "It's not in the closet anymore," Sumner said. "Drug use is a non- denominational, cross-culture choice for young and old people. It doesn't discriminate." Alcohol usage, which Sumner says has become "a given" among teens, is just an example of the changing times. "Our community and culture has a raised level of acceptance," Sumner said. "Marijuana is being accepted more and isn't such a big deal. What's next - is cocaine going to be OK? It's always bigger, more potent. They're entering the danger zone." In addition to prevention workshops, the Safe and Drug Free School program provides substance abuse and family education programs in six, one-day-a-week sessions. It serves as an alternative to 10 days suspension. "If a student's caught with drugs or alcohol on campus, usually they receive a 10-day suspension," Sumner said. "But if they take our program, they're only suspended for five days. The students opt to enroll almost every time." Last month, four Manatee High School students were arrested on drug possession charges during a "mock drill." Sumner said she believes the students have opted to enroll in the substance abuse programs. www.testmyteen.com www.manateesheriff.com www.manatee.k12.fl.us/ - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine