Are you a parent? How do you feel about home drug testing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not suspicion. It's letting the teen know, if I suspect you are using drugs, I will give you a home drug test. Very different.

That's how we feel with out kids. I went ahead and got a Teensavers Home Test for drugs today. I hope I never have to use it, but we decided if we feel the need, we will. We also will continue more dialogue about substances with our kids, especially now that marijuana is legal in 2 states.

OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not suspicion. It's letting the teen know, if I suspect you are using drugs, I will give you a home drug test. Very different.

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[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not suspicion. It's letting the teen know, if I suspect you are using drugs, I will give you a home drug test. Very different.

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Buying one and having one on hand is not immediate suspicion. It is caution. When the suspicion sets in, then we use.javascript:void(0);

[Anonymous]

I'm 14:10 and using the drug test because you have a specific suspicion is not what OP is talking about. She's talking about just doing this as a deterrent. I would love to hear anyone refer to a single expert who thinks this is a good idea. I can't imagine that one exists.

I think if you suspect something it arguably makes more sense, but I still will caution against it, depending on the circumstances. If you suspect your child has smoked pot, for example, the ideal result will involve some candid conversation. You need to be able to communicate with your child, especially in such risk taking situations. Nothing will shut down communication more than your saying it doesn't matter what they tell you, the only thing that matters is what their pee says. So why should they tell you anything? Why should you discuss the situation at all?

The only situation in which I would consider it is if I had a child with an addiction issue. It is helpful in stopping addiction if addicts know that they can't evade detection. However, if this was my child I would want this to be done with professional oversight -- I wouldn't go out and do it on my own.