Testing your teen for drug use is one of the most diffi cult decisions a parent can make. A parent's biggest concern is that they would violate the trusting relationship they have with their child.
- Do you look at their report cards and attend parent-teacher conferences, or just trust that they're getting all "A"s?
- Do you check that they're home by curfew, or just take their word for it?
Children need boundaries, and they need to know that you care enough to maintain them. The point of drug testing your teen is not to catch them using drugs, but to deter them from using drugs.
Discuss the fact that you are going to drug test them with your teen: involve them in the conversation, and listen to their concerns. Remind them that if they don't use drugs, they've got nothing to worry about.
Remind them that drugs are particularly dangerous to teens, with still-developing brains. Experimentation quickly turns to addiction, which can leave permanently damaged brain function.
Let them know that this is your way of helping them with peer pressure. They can let their friends know that they get drug tested at home ... so "NO"... they can't 'try it just this once.'
Signs your child may be using drugs:
- Unusual aggressive behavior
- Hanging out with a different crowd
- Sleepy
- Grades slipping
- Losing interest in their favorite activities
- Secrecy
- Private phone calls, texts and emails
- More focus on money
- Mood swings
- Memory loss
- Red or runny eyes and nose
- Change in appetite
- Depression
What you can do:
- Talk to your child often
- Know their friends
- Monitor their cell phone, text, and Internet usage
- Know where they are, and who they're with
- Discuss drugs and their effects on
developing brains
Why Home Testing Isn't Recommended:
While there are a lot of over-the-counter drug tests
available, there are several reasons to use a trusted
third-party to drug test your teen:
- Our employees are highly trained in collecting
specimens, and are not fooled by attempts
to 'trick' the tests.
- Using a neutral 3rd party takes any unnecessary
'blame' off of the parent for positive tests.
- Laboratory tests are the most accurate tests
available to the public.