‘Test, Don’t Guess’ initiative to help parents test children for drug use

HENRY COUNTY, Tenn. — One local sheriff’s office is launching a new initiative called “Test, Don’t Guess,” to help parents worried their children could be taking drugs.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office kicked off the new initiative Thursday to help prevent underage drug and alcohol use.

“They can come by and get a free drug test kit as well as some information on what to do if they do test positive,” Sheriff Monte Belew said. “There are resources that they can lean on to maybe get that child back on the right track and become drug free.”

The sheriff says it’s a simple urine test that you can take in the privacy of your own home and that you don’t have to take that sample anywhere else. You get the results almost immediately at home.

“We just want the parents to have another opportunity, another tool in their toolbox that they can use if they think their children, whatever age they may be, and they are using drugs,” Belew said.

Officials say no questions are asked when picking up the free test.

Their goal is to help kids get back on the right track.

“We think this program will be a big hit. We hope it will be,” the sheriff said. “We know there are a lot of concerned parents out there that have suspicion and maybe have never used a drug test.”

Sheriff Belew said anyone can pick up one of the free testing kits at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office or the Carey Counseling Center.

If you don’t live in Henry County, you can visit this link to find a free at-home drug test.