Arizona group offering free drug testing kits to parents
Aug 3, 2015, 12:52 PM
(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
PHOENIX — Going back to school typically means new books, classrooms and outfits, but it can also mean new pressures on kids to try drugs.
In response, Scottsdale-based notMYkid is providing parents with free drug testing kits ahead of the school year.
“What this does is, No. 1, it helps parents start a dialogue with their kids about drug abuse,” Shane Watson with the nonprofit said. “No. 2, it offers kids and out from peer pressure to where they can say, ‘Hey it’s not about me not being cool enough to do this, my parents will drug test me.’”
The free test is valued at $40 and checks for 12 drugs — seven illicit and five prescription — and comes with substance abuse prevention strategies and a family drug prevention plan.
The group gives out more than 2,500 of the kits in 15 cities.
Parents can pick up the kits on certain dates at the following Phoenix-area locations:
• July 29, 3-7:30 p.m., at the Military Training Center, Room 4 inside HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center (7301 E. Fourth Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85251)
• July 30, 3-7:30 p.m. at the Cowden Center (Barb’s Conference Room) inside HonorHealth John C. Lincoln Medical Center (9202 N. Second Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020)
• Aug. 2, 5-7:30 p.m. at Flip Dunk Sports (1515 E. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014)
• Aug. 3, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at San Tan Valley Substance Abuse Coalition inside the Native New Yorker (1750 E. Hunt Highway, San Tan Valley, AZ 85143)
• Aug. 4, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the notMYkid corporate offices (5230 E. Shea Boulevard, Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85254)
