Avitar Shares Information About Increased Drug Use in Schools Since September 11th

Avitar Shares Information About Increased Drug Use in Schools Since September
11th
Children Using Drugs at Younger Age since September 11 


CANTON, Mass., March 30  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avitar, Inc.  shares
information about increased drug use in schools since September 11th.

Dr. MariCarmen Escobar and Ms. Vanessa Prats of Med Far Biol located in Mexico
City, work with secondary schools to assist in the development and
implementation of drugs-of-abuse policies, testing, and counseling.   As leading
innovators in the fight to eliminate the use of illicit drugs in schools, Med
Far Biol recently called attention to a disturbing trend in school age children
in Mexico. Prior to September 11th, the average age that school age children
began to use drugs-of-abuse was eleven years old.  Since September 11th, the
average age has dropped significantly to nine years of age.  Dr. Escobar and Ms.
Prats attribute this startling trend to the fact that fewer drugs are leaving
Mexico due to increase in security at all U.S. borders.

"Drugs are now very inexpensive in Mexico and flooding the country.  Now, more
than ever, schools, administrators, and parents need to improve their efforts
relative to drug awareness programs, drug testing, and counseling programs,"
noted Dr. Escobar and Ms. Prats.  "Parents are in favor of drug testing, and
Avitar's oral-based product, ORALscreen(TM), in particular because it maintains
the dignity of their children during the test process", noted Ms. Prats.

"Avitar is grateful to be able to support our partners, Dr. Escobar and Ms.
Prats of Med Far Biol, in their fight against drugs in schools," said Pete
Phildius, Chairman and CEO of Avitar.  "The efforts of Dr. Escobar and Ms.
Prats, and President Bush's recent call upon Congress to support student drug
testing in the United States underscore the international scope of the fight to
eliminate drugs of abuse.  As the leading developer of on-site oral testing
products for drugs-of-abuse, Avitar is committed to supporting school drug
testing initiatives throughout the Americas."

Ms. Prats called attention to the benefits of on-site oral-based testing for
drugs-of-abuse. Unlike traditional urine testing, oral-based testing for
drugs-of-abuse can be directly observed, preventing the ability to cheat the
test, while preserving the dignity of students.

Recently asked by a school in Mexico City to assist in the drug testing process,
Ms. Prats found a situation where one student in a group of five was suspected
of usingdrugs, however, the identity of the particular student at risk was not
known.   All five students were administered the oral-based on- site test for
drugs-of- abuse, a simple process that is accomplished in minutes and is
basically as simple as using an oral thermometer.   Within minutes the results
were available, and the student, like most students when they are discovered,
readily admitted to drug use.  The student was entered into the school's support
program.

"Drug testing is a very important component of any school's drug-of-abuse
prevention program.   Used appropriately with drug education and counseling
programs, oral on-site drug testing enables schools to better understand the
success of their drugs-of-abuse elimination programs, and expedites getting help
to students in need", noted Dr. Jasso, a private secondary school
administrator.

ABOUT AVITAR

Avitar, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets innovative and proprietary
products in the oral fluid diagnostic market, and customized polyurethane
applications used in the wound dressing industry. Oral fluid diagnostics
includes the estimated $1.5 billion drugs-of-abuse testing market, which
encompasses the corporate workplace and criminal justice markets. Avitar's
products include ORALscreen(TM), the world's first non-invasive, rapid, onsite
oral fluid test for drugs-of-abuse. Additionally, Avitar manufactures and
markets HYDRASORB(TM) an absorbent topical dressing for moderate to heavy
exudating wounds.  For more information, see Avitar's website at
http://www.avitarinc.com/.

ABOUT MED FAR BIOL

MED FAR BIOL, a Mexican company, is dedicated to importing and distributing
health-related products, including oral-based testing of drugs- of-abuse, to
schools and multinational manufacturing and security companies. Services include
counseling to school administrators, teachers, parents and students about the
consequences of using illicit drugs.  Schools, parents, and students are in
favor of oral-based drug testing as it preserves student dignity.  Manufacturing
companies have been able to significantly lower accident rates and insurances
costs risk and costs by promoting a drug-free and safe environment within the
company using instant non-invasive oral fluid drug screening.   Private security
companies are mandated by local law to have all employees periodically drug
tested.  These companies have found that oral- based drug testing is a more
acceptable, user-friendly technology.

Safe Harbor Statement. This release contains forward looking statements that are
subject to risks and uncertainties including the development and marketing of
new applications and other risks that are detailed from time to time in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In view of such
risks and uncertainties, the Company's actual results could differ materially
from those anticipated in such forward looking statements.

  Contact:
   Peter N. Cholakis
   Vice President, Marketing
   [phone] x117
   
   http://www.avitarinc.com/

DATASOURCE: Avitar, Inc.



CONTACT: Peter N. Cholakis, Vice President, Marketing of Avitar, Inc.,

[phone] x117, 



Web site:  http://www.avitarinc.com/

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