Only 6 Percent Of Parents Worried About Teen RX Drug Abuse

A scant 6 percent of
parents are concerned about their children abusing prescription drugs,
according to a survey released today by Project 7th Grade
(project7thgrade), a national program of notMYkid, a non-profit organization devoted to drug abuse prevention among teens, in conjunction with First Check Diagnostics Corp.
(firstcheckfamily), the leading provider of over-the-counter (OTC) home drug testing kits and consumer health diagnostic technologies. With statistics showing at least three students in every high school
classroom abusing prescription drugs, parents cannot afford to
underestimate this threat or leave prescription drug abuse out of
conversations when talking to their kids about drugs.



The survey, conducted by national polling firm RT Strategies on August
2- 5, 2007, polled 1,000 adults nationwide as part of Project 7th Grade and
First Check's Back to School campaign.



"As parents across the country prepare to send their teens back to
school, they must be aware of the potential dangers their children will
likely encounter during the school year," said Debbie Moak, co-founder of
Project 7th Grade and notMYkid. "The good news is that we are seeing a
decrease in the use of some traditionally popular illicit drugs. The bad
news is that teens' use and abuse of easily accessible prescription drugs
continues to grow at an alarming rate -- yet parents aren't concerned about
that threat.



"We must raise awareness of these drug trends so parents realize that
talking to their kids about drug abuse and prevention before heading back
to school is on par with buying school supplies -- both are necessary and
will lay the foundation for a successful and healthy school year,"
continued Moak.



Key findings of the survey include:


-- Two-thirds of parents believe their children will first be exposed to
drugs between the ages of 10 and 15.


-- Close to 75 percent of respondents believe that drug testing of teens
should be the responsibility of parents.


-- Over 70 percent of parents say they have not purchased a home drug test
kit because they have not had the need. However, over 36 percent of
high school seniors reported using illicit drugs at some point in the
year. By age 17, 70 percent of teens will have been offered an illegal
drug (1).


-- Almost 80 percent of parents deny there are easily accessible
prescription drugs in their home. Unfortunately, more than 10 percent
of 12 to 17 year olds have taken prescription drugs from relatives or
friends without asking, and nearly half say they get prescription drugs
for free from relatives or friends (2).



This survey is part of First Check and Project 7th Grade's annual Back
to School campaign, which extends beyond just the start of the school year.
Project 7th Grade offers free seminars for parents of middle school
children year round to help them begin an early dialogue with their
children about the perils of substance abuse, giving parents insight on
ways to prevent drug abuse and incorporating home drug testing as a
cornerstone of deterrence. For those who attend Project 7th Grade programs,
the organization provides a complimentary First Check home drug testing kit
that checks for both illicit and prescription drugs.

















The Back to School program also includes an online tool kit to help
parents prepare and communicate with their children to ensure a safe and
drug free school year. The tool kit, available at
firstchecktips, includes Back to School tips for kids and
parents, conversation starters and a list of common school supplies.
Included on the list this year is a home drug test kit such as the First
Check 12 Panel Drug Test. The website also contains information for parents to request a Project 7th
Grade seminar in their region and a coupon for $5 off the First Check 12
panel Drug test.



"Based on our experience, typically teens have been abusing drugs for
two years before parents even realize there is a problem. And while more
than two-thirds of parents say they are willing to drug test their teen,
only 4 percent have actually purchased a test kit," said Moak. "We believe
that having a drug test kit in the home not only helps parents begin an
ongoing dialogue with their child about drugs, but it acts as a deterrent
to teens as they are faced with peer pressure to try drugs."



Statistics have shown that teens believe prescription drugs are safer
than illicit drugs, driving the proliferation of such trends as "pharm
parties" where teens mix and trade pills with one another to get high,
leading to dangerous and sometimes deadly outcomes. Ongoing, honest
discussions between parents and their children can serve as a way to teach
children about the perils of drug use, help them find the best ways to turn
down offers to try drugs and also give parents insights into the peer
pressures that kids face at school each day.



About Project 7th Grade -- Project 7th Grade is a fully-funded,
innovative drug prevention program designed to reduce drug use among middle
school students through education and proactive prevention. Project 7th
Grade is offered to parents of middle school children through a partnership
between notMYkid, a non-profit organization, and First Check Diagnostics
Corp., the leading provider of home drug testing kits. Project 7th Grade
works with school districts, law enforcement, community organization, and
the media to bring this program to parents and communities across the
country. Project 7th Grade informs parents of middle school students about
today's drug-related issues, and provides guidance about using a drug test
kit as a prevention tool. At the conclusion of the presentation each family
is given a complimentary First Check drug test kit. For additional
information, please visit project7thgrade.



About First Check Diagnostics Corp.: First Check Diagnostics Corp.,
which was acquired by Inverness Medical Innovations, Inc., in January,
2007, is the nation's leading provider of over-the-counter (OTC) home drug
testing kits and consumer health diagnostic technologies. The company is
committed to being the leader in providing the highest quality home
diagnostic testing kits that assist people in living safer and healthier
lives. First Check is a proud sponsor of Project 7th Grade, a non-profit
dedicated to the prevention of teen drug abuse. For additional information,
please visit firstcheckfamily.



(1) 2006 Monitoring the Future study; CASA National Survey of
American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XI


(2) The 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, SAMHSA. 2006


notMYkid

notmykid