El Paso Police Department offers free drug screening kits
The El Paso Police Department is launching a pilot program offering free in-home drug kits. The aim is to get parents and their kids talking about drugs. The kits test for 12 drugs, including Spice.
In 2012, El Paso’s Ruth Rivas lost her son Adam Hernandez. She says he took his own life while taking Spice. That tragedy led Rivas to start the nonprofit organization Spice Is Not Nice. It’s her picture and story you will find on the side of the free in-home drug screening kit being offered by the city’s Police Department.
“Basically, what we are trying to do is start a dialogue between parents and their children. If they suspect their children are on drugs, and this is an avenue they want to purse, we are able to provide a drug kit for them to use,” Sgt. Robert Gomez said.
The take-home test is called TEAM 21 EDUKIT. It detects twelve drugs, provides immediate results and claims to be 99 percent accurate.
The free kits are part of a city pilot program funded through the Police Department.
Mark Weber is the neighborhood services coordinator for the city’s Community and Human Development Department.
“Municipalities are able to set aside 10 percent of the police confiscated funds for programs like this,” Weber said.
While some think the free in-home drug kits are a great idea, others are skeptical.
Dan Dergance worries using the kits as a deterrent could have a negative impact.
“Children are more willing to listen to their parents if their parents are treating them with respect. But if you are going to use it to try and govern them, then I think it’s a bad idea because you are going to see them rebel,” Dergance said.
Experts warn the worst-case scenario is not talking to kids about drugs.
That’s the message Rivas is trying to get across through her nonprofit group.
In one of her videos, she said, “What could I say that would make an impact on his life? I often wake up with that thought in my head, wishing I could get our last conversation back.”
The free drug screening kits are available at all El Paso Regional Command Centers while supplies last.
The kits can range between $30 and $100.
