Purdue News Best Bets
May 2, 1997
JOURNALISTS: Here are two tips about events in the news, plus a list of newsworthy
Purdue events during the next two weeks.
Interpretation is key to home drug test
"For years I've been telling people that a positive drug test should be used as a
flashing yellow caution light, not a stop light, " says Roger Maickel, professor
of pharmacology and toxicology at Purdue. He is concerned about home drug tests,
such as "Confide," which now are available in drug stores. According to Maickel, proper interpretation
of the results of any drug test is difficult because of the variables. "For a home
test kit to be useful, there has to be an assumption that it was administered and
handled properly from start to finish," he says. "They are effective, but not idiot
proof. If a person has a single positive test, it should be used as an indicator
of possible problems. It should not be used as proof that the person is a drug addict."
He fears that people will force family members to consent to a test and then take action
against them based on flawed or misinterpreted results. Further testing may provide
a different result. "The issue is too important to rely on one piece of evidence,"
he says. CONTACT: Maickel, (765) 494-1406; home (765) 474-2855
Purdue conference highlights work and family
A one-day conference coordinated by Purdue's Center for Families will provide employers
information on family-friendly practices that can benefit the workplace. "Organizations,
Employees & Families: Partners in Productivity" will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 8, in Room 302, Stewart Center. The event will mark the inauguration
of a new organization for companies that will provide them resources and networking
opportunities. It will also include announcement of the Purdue Worklife program,
a comprehensive effort to utilize resources from across the university and the community
to help Purdue employees better care for dependents and maintain productivity. CONTACT:
Shelley MacDermid, director of the Center for Families, (765) 494-6026; e-mail, shelley@vm.cc.purdue.edu
Events
Saturday, May 10.
University Bands Percussion Workshop and Concert. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Room 302, Stewart
Center. Sixty junior high and high school students will practice hands-on skills
in a variety of percussive styles with nationally known percussionists. The workshop
will conclude with a free concert, starting at 4 p.m., featuring clinicians and Purdue
ensembles. CONTACT: Jenny Tucker, director of public relations, Purdue University
Bands, (765) 496-2697; e-mail, tuckerj@concentric.net
Thursday and Friday, May 15 and 16.
Law Enforcement Public Policy Institute. Room 218, Stewart Center. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday. A conference on community policing sponsored
by the Kettering Foundation, the National Issues Forums and Purdue's Department of
Organizational Leadership. Keynote address delivered by Dave Heath, mayor of Lafayette
and former two-term Tippecanoe County sheriff. CONTACT: Michael Menefee, head of
the Department of Organizational Leadership, (765) 494-5599, e-mail, mlmenefe@tech.purdue.edu
Saturday, May 17.
Spring commencement ceremonies at Elliott Hall of Music. 9:30 a.m. for Schools of
Engineering; 2:30 p.m. for Schools of Management; Pharmacy, Nursing, and Health Sciences;
and Science. Journalists who want to cover the ceremonies will need tickets for the
event and should reserve space for camera equipment. CONTACTS: Roy A. Johnson, associate
registrar, at (765) 494-6163, e-mail rajohn@delta.reg.purdue.edu; or Mike Willis,
Purdue News Service, at (765) 494-0371, e-mail. mike_willis@purdue.edu
Sunday, May 18.
Spring commencement ceremonies at Elliott Hall of Music. 9:30 a.m. for Schools of
Consumer and Family Sciences; Liberal Arts; and Veterinary Medicine; 2:30 p.m. for
Schools of Agriculture; Education; and Technology. Elliott Hall of Music. Journalists
who want to cover the ceremonies will need tickets for the event and should reserve space
for camera equipment. CONTACTS: Roy A. Johnson, associate registrar, at (765) 494-6163,
e-mail rajohn@delta.reg.purdue.edu; or Mike Willis, Purdue News Service, at (765)
494-0371, e-mail. mike_willis@purdue.edu
Tuesday, May 20.
Purdue
Board of Trustees meeting. 1:30 p.m. Room 304 (Anniversary Drawing Room), Purdue Memorial
Union. President Steven C. Beering and members of the board will be available to
answer questions in Purdue Memorial Union Room 256 immediately after the meeting.
CONTACTS: Jeanne V. Norberg, director, Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2084;
e-mail, jeanne_norberg@purdue.edu, or Joseph L. Bennett, vice president
for University Relations, (765) 494-2082; e-mail, joe_bennett@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
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