FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Moore Says Ruling in Favor of Student Drug Testing Allows Schools to Step Up Anti-Drug Efforts; Opens Significant Market Potential for Diagnostic Products Manufacturer KINDERHOOK, N.Y. -- June 27, 2024 -- American Bio Medica Corporation (NASDAQ: ABMC) chairman and chief executive officer Gerald Moore hailed today's ruling by the United States Supreme Court in favor of random drug tests of students involved in extracurricular activities as a major milestone in the effort to rid American schools of illicit drugs. The 5-4 ruling says that public high school and middle school students who participate in competitive after-school activities can be randomly drug tested. The ruling expands the parameters of student drug testing, which had been limited to athletes following a 1995 Supreme Court ruling. Today's decision underscores that a school's need to battle illicit drug abuse by students outweighs privacy concerns. Moore noted that the ruling was highly significant for two key reasons: It underscores the effectiveness and legitimacy of drug testing in preventing and identifying drug abuse; and it significantly increases the number of students who can be tested. "This Supreme Court decision is a major victory for parents, educators, and students, and a major defeat for drug users and drug dealers," said Moore. "It effectively allows schools to test a much larger percentage of the student population, which will undoubtedly make a significant impact in preventing drug abuse. "Our company position is that student drug testing is a prevention tool. It is not a means to 'get' anyone - it is a reason not to use drugs. Expanding the breadth of student drug testing will give more young people a legitimate reason why they should not do illegal drugs." Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for the majority: "We find that testing students who participate in extracurricular activities is a reasonably effective means of addressing the school district's legitimate concerns in preventing, deterring, and detecting drug use." Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, and Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony M. Kennedy and Stephen Breyer were also in the majority. Moore added that the ruling would undoubtedly have a positive business impact for his company, which develops and markets a variety of inexpensive on-site drug testing kits. ABMC has been involved for several years with student athlete drug testing and maintains a web site on this topic, www.drugfreeschools.com. "This Court decision certainly gives school districts throughout the country firm ground from which to implement broader and more comprehensive drug testing programs, and we will provide products to meet those needs," said Moore. "I think ABMC is in a very favorable position in this regard, because, while schools want to test for drugs, budgets are a concern. Schools need lower cost, highly reliable and easy-to-use on-site tests, and that is exactly what we make." About American Bio Medica Corporation American Bio Medica Corporation develops, manufactures and markets inexpensive, accurate, onsite drugs-of-abuse diagnostic kits and support services worldwide. The Company and its worldwide distribution network target the workplace, government, corrections, clinical and educational markets. ABMC's Rapid Drug Screen®, Rapid One and Rapid Tec test for the presence or absence of drugs of abuse in urine, while its OralStat6 tests for the presence or absence of drugs of abuse in saliva. ABMC was recently listed among the top ten biotechnology companies on the Deloitte & Touche 2001 Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the fastest growing companies in North America. This release may contain forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ, and such differences could be
material. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited
to, the following: continued acceptance of the Company's products,
increased levels of competition in our industry, the acceptance of new
products, inherent risks associated with product development and
intellectual property rights, the Company's dependence on key
personnel, third party sales and suppliers. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be successful in addressing such risks and
uncertainties. Investors are strongly encouraged to review the section
entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual report on Form 10-KSB
for the transition period ended December 31, 2001, and quarterly
reports on Form 10-QSB on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission for a discussion of risks and uncertainties that could
affect operating results and the market price of the Company's common
shares.
Contact: American Bio Medica Corporation Gerald A. Moore, 800/227-1243 Fax: 518/758-8171 Email: gerald@americanbiomedica.com Web: www.americanbiomedica.com |