Home drug tests for teens now available

On a very serious topic, and a growing epidemic within our community, the Community Counseling Center and the Carson City Sheriff's Department have entered into a partnership to provide home drug tests for families who may be concerned about their "teenage children" using drugs. In a joint effort of early intervention parents can purchase a drug test kit for $4.

Let me give you some statistics to think about:

53 percent of the teen population has tried illegal drugs

41 percent of teens have used illegal drugs in the past

25 percent used illegal drugs in the last 30 days

5 percent used methamphetamine

48 percent have tried marijuana

78 percent have used alcohol

So if you suspect, just maybe, and are concerned for your child's safety these drug kits detect cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, marijuana and opiates. Also thanks to Sheriff Furlong's start-up donation it will be available to parents that cannot afford the $4. I didn't know this, but the statistics also show that the danger zone for teenage drug use is between 4 and 6 p.m. Parents don't be afraid to talk to your children and find out who they hang out with, what they are doing and set those boundaries. If you have further questions or would like a kit in your home the information is below.

Multidrug screening device tests

Who: Community Counseling Center and Sheriff's Department, Sheriff Ken Furlong

Where: 205 S. Pratt Ave., Carson City

When: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Cost: $4 per kit, donations are welcome to help subsidize this new outreach intervention/prevention program.

Contact: The Counseling Center, at 882-3945, if you have any questions regarding the test or what to do if your child tests positive. If you wish to report meth use, sales or anything suspicious call the meth hot line at 887-2500 ext. METH (6384). Make a telephone call and make a difference.

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Count on great corned beef, cabbage and all the traditional St. Patty meal trimmings Saturday. Today's the last day to get lucky and reserve a dinner reservation for the Knights of Columbus' St. Patrick's Dinner and Auction and a few lucky charms I am sure.

There is also a raffle (silent and loud) and auction of more than 100 prizes, including golf packages, dinner cruises on Lake Tahoe, show packages and more donated by local merchants. All proceeds go back to the community.

So give Danny Boy, aka Dick Moore, a call to make your reservations and purchase raffle tickets. You do not have to be present to win. Tickets are $1 each or 18 tickets for $15.

St. Patrick's Dinner and Live Auction

Who: Knights of Columbus

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Gold Dust West formally the Piñon Plaza

Cost: $15 per person

Contact: Dick Moore at 882-6088

Proceeds benefit: Local organizations such as St. Teresa Catholic School, Mammovan of Nevada, Eagle Valley Children's Home, Community Crisis Pregnancy Center and many more.

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Spring Fever is here after such a beautiful weekend, so we know the annual Kids in Transition Shoe Drive is right around the corner. I no longer direct this program, but I'll be the first one to support this cause to help children with the very basic need of a pair of well-fitting shoes and socks. I have seen it first hand and it does make a difference on so many levels. So come join St. Teresa Catholic Church, St. Paul's and St. Peter's churches, Soroptimist International, SBC Telephone Pioneers, Southwest Gas Corp., Capital City Loans and many private individuals that have helped each year to put a new pair of shoes on hundreds of children's feet. Jeannette Famoso, the Carson City School District homeless advocate, would like you to step up and help the new "Step Into Spring" shoe drive. Give her a call.

'Step into Spring' Shoe Drive

Who: Carson City School District Kid's in Transition Program

What: New socks and shoes for children in need

Contact: Jeannette Famoso at 283-1526 or 690-1303 for information on donations and volunteering.

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Next Week: Hawaiian shirts, flip flops, Mai Tai's in hand, smell of coconut oil and yes, Kiwanis International of Carson City

• To have your information included, contact Kim Riggs at kimriggs@att.net.