Should I Drug Test My Teenager?

Although it’s difficult to come up with exact numbers, an estimated 20 percent of American teens take drugs of some kind, either occasionally or regularly. It can be a hard thing for any parent to accept that their child might be one of them, and random drug testing is a practical, easy and obvious if somewhat undesirable solution.

Many parents choose to talk to their teen about the dangers of drugs before deciding to carry out drug testing, although if you feel you just aren’t getting anywhere, it may be time for random drug testing. If you do this, it doesn’t make you a bad or neglectful parent; it’s simply something that an increasing number of parents feel has to be done. However, you shouldn’t expect a positive reaction from your child; he or she may feel that their privacy is being invaded, that you don’t trust them, and it may cause them to become distant. Try talking to your child about the test a few days before actually giving it; that allows the idea to sink in. Some teens flat out refuse to take a drug test administered by their parents; if that is the case, you shouldn’t necessarily take it as an indication that your child is taking drugs.

If you are thinking about testing your teen for drug use, it helps if you can recognize the common signs that indicate drug use. Sudden or unexplained mood swings can be signs of drug taking, as can irritability or hostility. It isn’t unusual for kids who are taking drugs to behave furtively, spend more time in their room than they did before, or to suddenly have some new friends that appeared from nowhere. Asking for money, stealing from parents or siblings, and poor grades at school can all be signs that a teen is taking drugs. It’s also important to remember that everyone reacts differently, and exhibits different symptoms; many parents will tell you that the typical teen displays at least some of the above signs anyway.

The decision to test your kids for drugs isn’t an easy one, and there is really no right or wrong answer. If you go ahead with home drug testing, you should be prepared for your relationship with your teenage child to be altered perhaps forever in some way. It may help to talk to your family doctor, other parents who have children of a similar age, or the doctor or counselor at your child’s school. However, the decision to test for drugs is ultimately yours, and you should remind yourself that even if the decision isn’t a popular one or an easy one to make, your first responsibility is the well being, health, and safety of your child. Testing a child for drugs at home can also prevent an issue of dabbling in drugs from becoming a more serious and costly problem in the future.

It’s easy to learn more about home drug testing by browsing online, and your child’s physician or school doctor may also have some useful advice.