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Tell Us: What do you think?

(WHAS11) - You've heard of drug testing done at schools but now one southern indiana school district is getting parents involved.

Starting this fall, New Albany-Floyd County schools are offering free drug test kits to parents of 6th through 9th graders.

The home tests can detect marijuana and other drug use.

New Albany schools officials say it may be painful to find out if your child is using drugs, but not as painful of a child later addicted.

So, the New Albany-Floyd County school system is giving parents of 6th thru 9th graders the chance. They are giving free at home drug test from a company called First Check Diagnostics.

The program is completely voluntary. Officials say that age group is most susceptible and their test will give parents the first step they need to learn if there's a problem.

The company's website boasts 99% accuracy, but adds that if the test shows positive, they should send a sample to their lab as a double check.

The urine kit tests for the presence of meth, marijuana, cocaine and oxycodone among other drugs.

However, don't look for lots of other school systems to follow suit, Jefferson County Public Schools has not expressed any interest in pursuing the same program.

Tell Us: What do you think?

EXCELLENT IDEA !

This is an an insult, and says that we don't trust our children.

The reason I said I'm not sure is because some of the parents are on drugs too. I believe some kids, but not all learned some of their bad habits from their parents not excluding their peers. Maybe some of these parents should take drug testing also.

i think that it is a good idea because parents have the right to know what is going on with their kids

I appreciate their efforts in helping stop one of America's biggest problems.

Why would anyone object? The kits are FREE! They did not cost the schools or the government a dime. This is voluntary people- get over it. Trust? It's a parents job to look over their kid's shoulder while they're still kids. I guess that the drug dealers and doctors that would like to charge you for the service may object though.

It is a shame the our parents can not know what the chirldern are doing,It is a shame that parents are not doing more with there kids when they can

Not only Schools and students but everyone !

If it saves one life, I am all for it.

It is a way to help our children, after we are responsible for their well being.

If my parents came at me like this, I would have slapped the test out of their hand, asked them what happened to trust, and stormed out of the house. That's just bad parenting.

The measures schools go through to invade the privacy of their students is becoming increasingly rediculous. I hope the taxpayers enjoy spending their hard-earned income in a struggling economy on the testing of every child in the county, because I can see paranoid-minded folk lining up for this one.

I think that in this day and time, we as parents need to become more involved in our childrens lives. I know that when I was in school, there wasn't as many drugs as their is today, and kids are more exposed to them now. If we suspect something then we need to be informed parents... not ones with attitudes that our children wouldn't lie to us....besides, did you ever lie to your parents....thanks for the chance to maybe save a life and a lifetime of drug abuse

I think that it is a great idea. This will stop your child at a early stage of usage before it is to late. I believe that they should also make the kits for adults too..

If found out early maybe they can get help.

This will put power to do something about drug use before their children become involved in the legal system.

I think it is great for schools to do this. I am only 20 years old and I know what goes on in middle school and high school. I was one of them dumb teens who started partying and getting into trouble and dropped out of school. My mom never really knew about any of the pot smoking or drinking and even trying pills. I now have changed my life around in a full 360 and am so proud of my self. I wish someone would of known and fount out about the drugs before I messed up in school. I would of loved to have been able to graduate with some of my other friends. Now that I have got my High School Diploma I don't hang out with the same friends. Most of the friends that I was hanging out with are now either pregnant or still doing the party sceen. So yeah it would be great for parents to know there kids are on drugs because most don't have a clue until there kids are so far into it.

I think more schools should offer this to parents.

i think that is a great ideal i dont think it is a trust issue i think it has everything to do with being a concerned parent who could be saving their childs life before it is to far out of hand
if it is available to my child who is only 9 but i would most definitely go for it so i say good decision.
charlestown indiana supporting parents and school district.