School District Offering Drug Testing Kits To Parents

HEMPFIELD (KDKA) -- A local school district is offering take home drug tests to parents.

The test kids will be available to parents of middle school students in the Hempfield School District.

"We would rather be proactive," Andy Leopold, superintendent, said. "We have 6,300 students in this district and if we can affect even one family or one child then we're doing our job."

The test will be offered to parents and will be voluntary. The results will never be given to the school district. The student cannot be punished in any way by the school system.

"It gives my kids a way out to say, 'Hey. I could be tested for drugs at any time. No thank you. I can't,'" Randy Stoner, a school board member, said.

Terry Ewing, a former teacher and a mother, says it's about time.

"I think this is idea has some merit," she said. "Parents can know for sure what's going on with their children. The school district doesn't want to know the results. This is just for the parents. If they want it, they can request it? Not a bad idea."

The drug testing kits will be offered as part of a comprehensive plan in Hempfield that includes an in-your-face look at the justice system and the danger of drugs.

RELATED LINKS
More Local News
More Westmoreland County News