We want you to know that we bought a home drug test today, and we’d like you to take it. We’ve decided it makes sense to randomly test you periodically until you are eighteen. We hope that you understand why we are doing this—we care about you very much, and your health and well being are very important to us.
Please take this into the bathroom, and when you come out, no matter what the results are, we want to hear what you think and feel about all of this.
Unless she’s a civil rights advocate who passionately advocates for teen privacy laws on the debate team, if your teen freaks out, she is giving you a big clue about the impending result, yes? Give the test anyway. It’s very important that you follow through.
Please notice, this talk did not sound like this: I know you are using drugs and lying to me about it! Go take this test right now, and I’ll have proof that I am right about you! What red-blooded kid could take this sitting down? You’ll have a nasty power struggle on your hands. If you take responsibility for it yourself, rather than blaming or predicting or implying that her character is flawed, things usually go more smoothly.
Random drug testing can be a fantastic deterrent to peer pressure.
“No way, my parents could test me anytime!” is a pretty strong reason to Just Say No that other kids easily understand. Start testing while they are in middle school to maximize this benefit, and keep it up all the way until high school graduation. It will just become a way of life for your teenager.
This article only scratches the surface of this emotionally charged topic. If you’d like some help figuring out the best way to handle this in your family, consult with a professional. You may also be interested in the articles and information at www.drugtestyourteen.com
