December 21, 2005

HEALEY KICKS OFF STUDENT DRUG TESTING PROGRAM IN NEW BEDFORD

NEW BEDFORD – Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey today awarded the City of New Bedford with a $100,000 grant to launch a student drug testing pilot program at local middle and high schools. The program is the result of a community-wide effort that brought together parents, educators and law enforcement officials committed to combating the high level of drug and alcohol abuse among young adults.

“Addiction and abuse rip apart families and shatter the lives of some of our most vulnerable citizens, particularly young people,” said Healey. “As part of a broader plan to keep our kids from becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol, voluntary drug testing will help educate parents about the social pressures their children are confronted with.”

Safe and Drug-Free Schools is a voluntary federal program that administers non-invasive drug tests to students in grades 6-12. If a child tests positive, parents are notified and a case worker directs them to counseling services that will treat any potential abuse or addiction. The tests results will be kept confidential and will not be used for punitive action against the student.

Healey added that participating in the drug testing program will help students resist peer pressure to use drugs. Early detection of substance abuse also allows parents to intervene before their children become addicted to drugs and alcohol.

A 2003 Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey showed that students who reported a high level of family involvement in school activities were at a significantly lower risk for drug involvement.

The survey indicated that in New Bedford, 46 percent of middle school and 53 percent of high school students reported having tried alcohol. Thirty percent of students in grades 9-12 reported engaging in binge drinking just one month prior to the survey. In addition, 20 percent of middle school students and 31 percent of high school students reported having their first alcoholic drink before the age of 13.

Marijuana is the most commonly used drug by New Bedford adolescents with 19 percent of middle school and 49 percent having tried the illegal substance.

New Bedford’s Drug Free Student Assistance Program is designed to empower families and provide parents with the support necessary to address substance abuse problems. The program includes an educational campaign to encourage parents and guardians to seek prevention and referral services.

“During the past eight years, we’ve worked to rebuild our educational infrastructure as well as provide our students and families the tools they need to succeed,” said New Bedford Mayor Frederick M. Kalisz, Jr. “In partnership with the schools, our educators, the community and the Commonwealth, we’re able to make this voluntary program possible, giving parents in our city another tool to assist their children in dealing with the challenges in today’s society.”

In May, Healey unveiled the Substance Abuse Strategic Plan, a strategic blueprint designed to boost substance abuse and prevention programs for at-risk individuals. As part of Healey’s plan, Massachusetts is establishing the state’s first “recovery” high schools to encourage young people to stay sober after struggling with addiction. Intensive case management pilot programs are also underway to help identify school age children at risk for substance abuse and juvenile delinquency.

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