PETOSKEY, MI -- The Petoskey Department of Public Safety is launching a program that will allow parents to give their children a drug test for free.

The Department has joined the Law Enforcement Against Drugs (LEAD) program, which has the mission of keeping communities drug-free.

Parents can pick up drug and alcohol tests from the Petoskey Department of Public Safety, test their child, and get immediate results in the privacy of their home.

The 8 Panel Drug Test Kit detects drugs that comprise the majority of abused substances, including prescription drugs.  These substances include opiates (heroin, vicodin, and codeine), methamphetamines (speed, crystal meth), marijuana, barbiturates, benzodiazepines (zanax, valium, and ativan), amphetamines, and cocaine. Single panel kits are also available, and will test for marijuana, alcohol, and cocaine.

This program empowers parents and gives them the ability to monitor their children in the privacy of their own home as well as provide their children with an "out" when faced with peer pressure to use drugs and/or alcohol. ("I can't because my parents might test me.")

These free kits are available at 101 E. Lake Street (City Hall) at the Department of Public Safety. Parents can remain 100% anonymous when picking up the kits. Kits are available Monday through Friday between 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. For further information please feel free to contact the Department of Public Safety at 231-347-2500. Callers can remain anonymous as the goal is to give parents the power to raise their children drug and alcohol free.  Information related to the L.E.A.D. program is also available at Petoskey High School.

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