Do-it-yourself home drug tests are inexpensive and readily available over the counter. As a parenting consultant, I am often asked, “Should I drug test my teenager?” Here are a few things to consider while making your decision:
What are you going to do if she tests positive?
First, be aware that the tests are not 100 percent reliable. A positive result should be confirmed at your doctor’s office.
Second, be aware that drug testing is not the same thing as treatment. A confirmed positive result will require a response from you.
Will you call a drug and alcohol abuse counselor?
Will you tell your teen to stop and let her know you will continue testing randomly?
Will you sit down with her and find out what is going on in her world, and why she is using?
Will you ground her until she turns eighteen?
Will you call the parents of her friends?
Will you rant and rave and threaten and then hope you scared her straight?
Obviously, some of these interventions are more effective than others! The point, for the purpose of this article anyway, is Plan Ahead.
What are you going to do if he tests negative?
Will you offer a reward or an incentive?
Will you speak a quiet word of appreciation for your son’s character and good decisions?
Will you scowl and wonder out loud how he cleaned up so fast?
Will you coldly remind him that he’ll have to do this again sometime soon?
Will you thank him for his patience and understanding?
How are you going to bring it up?
The best time to do this is before you suspect she is involved with drugs. However, if it’s too late for that, here’s one possible way to broach the subject.
Honey, we know it’s tough to be a teenager today, and that you face a lot of temptation. We wouldn’t feel like we were doing a good job as parents if we didn’t make use of every possible tool at our disposal to support you in making healthy choices.
