Fatesrider ~ I disagree with your assertion that the most appropriate way to respond to suspicion or concern is with a drug test (done at home or otherwise.) The physicians and other experts in this article agree that drug testing is counterproductive. Yes, parents MUST act upon their fears -- but drug tests can mislead parents through false negative results. Here is another story about student drug testing failed another family: http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/021506sdtprofile.cfm .
If parents are concerned they should seek professional help and take their teenager in for a comprehensive evaluation. They SHOULD respond -- but it is essential to respond in a manner that is productive rather than harmful. Here is some advice for parents who are concerned about their teenager's potential drug use: http://www.safety1st.org/content/view/23/652/
The reality is that a trusting, open relationship with a parent or other respected adult can be the most powerful element in deterring abusive patterns. Trust, once lost, can be hard to regain.
Safety First www.safety1st.orgof CA2:37PM August 07, 2008
Travis points out in his post every parent's nightmare: A child who can't spell, has no sense of grammar, can't punctuate, can't reason and wants access to drugs, both legal and not.
Bet his parents are really proud of their achievement - or rather his utter lack of it. I do not predict a life of good things for that young man.
A child won't do drugs if the parents raise the children well. Travis points out that those kids who have no other reason to live than get high will get high. Don't test, because if you do, we'll find another way to get high.
The message in the article is this: If you feel you have to test, your kid is beyond redemption already. Travis seems to back up that conclusion.
So, don't test. Instead, kick them out into the streets where they will learn to survive or not and let them figure it out. It seems there is no alternative. They're a waste of human DNA, interested only in their next high and not worth salvaging since they'll only find a way around everything. So why bother?
Is THAT what I'm hearing? Because that's what it sounds like in the article.
Here's the real scoop, folks: If you suspect your kid is doing drugs and don't want it out, test. ONCE. Suddenly. Randomly. Unexpectedly. If it's positive, get your child professional help, immediately. Get a sample done by a lab and confirm things. Intervene. BE THE DAMN PARENT. If your kid is doing drugs, you screwed up already, don't compound the error by thinking you can do fix it alone. If they're not, reward them for doing the right thing and explain why you did what you did and work to rebuild the shattered trust that WILL come of it regardless of your child's actual drug use.
The article condemns drug testing by parents. Like any tool, a drug testing kit can be misused or abused. But used right, it can be an invaluable first step in getting a straying child off drugs. It's never easy, but, with help, patience and the right amount of firmness and resolve, it can be done.
Fatesriderof CA2:16AM August 07, 2008
as a teen and being oin urin test not by my parents but by the city apart of probo isee and hear of new ways to cheat urin tests all the time even lab tests can be cheated if the person is willing to go to far lengths to using. i have a friend who got on probation for being caught under the influenc of cannabis she found out meth will get out of her system much faster and switched from a very light herb to a harcore drug that now she is addicted to and in and out of rehabs. I mnyself started drinking alcohol which by the way is far more dangerous, to pass my uas and almost od ed a few to many times. To sum it all I beleive cannabis smoking should be legalized and regulated as alcohol is to reduce a harmless herb smoking society from being jailed and tested for. THERE ARE REAL CRIMES GOING RIGHT NOW!
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Safety First www.safety1st.org of CA 2:37PM August 07, 2008
Fatesrider of CA 2:16AM August 07, 2008
Travis H of AZ 12:03AM August 07, 2008