Avitar Joins Battle for Drug-Free Schools Following U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

ORALscreen to be marketed nationally to 15,500 school districts

July 12, 2002

CANTON, Mass., July 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Avitar, Inc. (Amex: - ) today announced that it will develop a new marketing initiative directed at the over 15,000 school districts in the U.S. for ORALscreen, the Company's oral fluid- based rapid test for drugs-of-abuse. This announcement follows the June 27, 2002 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court which permits testing, under certain circumstances, in high schools across the United States.

"Our ORALscreen product is an ideal solution to many of the privacy issues surrounding testing for drugs-of-abuse. These privacy issues are of particular concern in the school environment," said Peter P. Phildius, Avitar's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Since ORALscreen utilizes oral fluid instead of urine, all of the indignities of sample collection are eliminated. In addition, our rapid test format gives screening results in minutes and eliminates sample tampering and mix-ups," he added.

Currently, Framingham High School in Framingham, Massachusetts runs a highly successful program, which involves the entire community to deter the use of drugs. This program has been in place for more than three years and will serve as the model for Avitar's new school-based marketing program. Avitar will help school decision makers develop ways to deter a nationwide problem while preserving the dignity and privacy of students.

Peter P. Phildius, continues, "On June 27, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling regarding drug testing in schools. This will enable schools to become more involved with the fight against drug abuse by our young people. We look forward to the opportunity to work with the 15,500 school districts nationwide in this on-going effort."

Supreme Court of the United States Citation

On March 19, 2002, oral arguments were heard before the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. Case No.01-332. Board of Education of Independent School District No. 92 of Pottawatomie County, et. al. v. Lisday Earls, et. al. was decided on June 27, 2002 in a 5-to-4 decision to permit high school administrators to test students for drugs-of-abuse under certain circumstances.

About ORALscreen

The Company's ORALscreen line represents the most comprehensive, state-of- the-art product portfolio for rapid substance abuse testing available on the market today. ORALscreen is a highly sensitive, simple-to-use, reliable and disposable drug test that within minutes detects the presence of specific illegal substances, including marijuana, cocaine, opiates, methamphetamine and MDMA, also known as Ecstasy. The advantage of oral testing is that it may be performed in public and eliminates the embarrassment and chain-of-custody issues present with urine testing. ORALscreen can not be adulterated in any way, and there are no substances that may be ingested that would result in a false negative result.

About Avitar

Avitar, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets innovative and proprietary products in the oral fluid diagnostic market, disease and clinical testing 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, and HAIRscreen(TM), a laboratory-based hair test for detecting long-term drug abuse. Additionally, Avitar manufactures and markets HYDRASORB(TM), an absorbent topical dressing for moderate to heavy exudating wounds. In the estimated $25 billion in vitro diagnostics market, Avitar is developing diagnostic strategies for disease and clinical testing. Some examples include influenza, diabetes and pregnancy. For more information, see Avitar's website at avitarinc.com.

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.