HUNTINGTON -- Tuesday evening's substance abuse workshop only attracted three parents, but one local health teacher hopes interest in the program will grow.

Health teacher Lisa Riley led the "notMYkid" workshop for parents throughout the community at Enslow Middle School in an effort to provide tools to prevent drug abuse. She hopes to host the educational program at least once a year.

NotMYkid is a national initiative on substance abuse prevention. The workshops help parents create family drug prevention plans that include the use of a home drug test kit as a key prevention method. Parents at Tuesday's workshop were invited to sign up to receive free home drug testing kits, which test for seven illicit drugs and five prescription drugs.

Riley said the notMYkid program stresses the importance of communication and teaches parents what to look for, from drug paraphernalia to terminology and trends.

"I don't think we have a problem here at Enslow, but we need to nip it in the bud before it starts," she said.

She said the program teaches parents to "verify and trust." Just as they want to believe their kids are doing well in school, they still ask for proof with report cards, she said.

"You tell me you're not doing drugs, but I want to verify it every now and then," she said.

Sheri Bucci of Guyandotte has two children, one in middle school and one in high school. She said curiosity drew her to Tuesday's event.

"You don't know about your kids. You think you do, but in the neighborhoods we live in these days, (drug abuse) is everywhere," she said.

An estimated 57 percent of substance abusers are between the ages of 12 and 17, according to notMYkid. The average age when kids first try drugs is 13. An estimated 27 percent of Cabell County sixth through 12th graders reported using any illicit drug in 2007 to 2008, according to the county's PRIDE survey.

"These kids, they learn to play the game," Riley said. "They learn to hide it well."

Riley said the notMYkid program is successful, but it's up to parents to take action in the homes. With only three mothers attending the first workshop, she said it isn't always easy to get parents involved.

"We keep trying. We don't give up," she said.

Anyone interested in learning more can visit www.notmykid.org or call Riley at Enslow Middle School at 304-528-5121.

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