Random drug testing for prevention

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that it’s yes/no and has the possibility of being wrong. It won’t tell you how often, whether the only time was two months ago or if it’s been everyday for 2 months. And worse, you might believe there’s no problem if it gives a negative result when it should be positive, and you could push your teen to do it depending on your reaction to a false positive.

The THC urine tests go back only about 20 days worth. For nicotine urine tests it is only from about 48hrs

former addict here and I peed positive for THC for over 50days.

The tests are more accurate than you might think, and false positives are both unlikely, and easy to confirm/deny with a follow-up test from your doctor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m willing to bet there are tons of smug parents that think their kids aren’t doing drugs that are gravely mistaken. It’s prevalent in high schools and the administration does nothing about it because when they did in the past kids committed suicide. It’s going to get worse when Virginia legalizes marijuana. It’s so strong and can cause major brain damage when kids start taking it when their brains are still maturing until they are 25-30. How do you think Rob Reiner’s son got schizophrenia? Likely marijuana when he was a young teen. It’s not the weed of the past and it’s a big deal no one is talking about. Once you discover your kid is using it may be too late.

Okay, so what do you suggest?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Randomly testing a kid who shows no signs of anything problematic is a great way to ruin your relationship

Exactly this. You are going to wreck your relationship with an otherwise good kid. It's different if there's a history of drug use and the kid has gone to rehab and is seeing therapists and on meds and the whole nine yards. And you suspect they're using again. But for a normal, healthy, solid kid, you are going to obliterate your relationship with drug tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that it’s yes/no and has the possibility of being wrong. It won’t tell you how often, whether the only time was two months ago or if it’s been everyday for 2 months. And worse, you might believe there’s no problem if it gives a negative result when it should be positive, and you could push your teen to do it depending on your reaction to a false positive.

The THC urine tests go back only about 20 days worth. For nicotine urine tests it is only from about 48hrs

My mistake... and what's the difference in terms of knowing whether it was done 3 weeks ago or yesterday/today? It's not nuanced enough to tell, and both false negatives and false positives happen.

If you're truly worried? Get a follicle test done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that it’s yes/no and has the possibility of being wrong. It won’t tell you how often, whether the only time was two months ago or if it’s been everyday for 2 months. And worse, you might believe there’s no problem if it gives a negative result when it should be positive, and you could push your teen to do it depending on your reaction to a false positive.

The THC urine tests go back only about 20 days worth. For nicotine urine tests it is only from about 48hrs

My mistake... and what's the difference in terms of knowing whether it was done 3 weeks ago or yesterday/today? It's not nuanced enough to tell, and both false negatives and false positives happen.

If you're truly worried? Get a follicle test done.

THC is stored in the fat so if someone has used a lot, it will test positive for a long time as the fat gradually releases the toxin. It’s different from other drugs that way. So the more they used, the longer it will pop positive. I think the follicle tests have more false positives because the hair can absorb from other sources but might indicate he’s hanging out with other people who smoke a lot.

[Anonymous]

Would the parents test negative too? It’s legal in Maryland.

Not sure why we are spot checking happy kids without us being concerned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would the parents test negative too? It’s legal in Maryland.

Not sure why we are spot checking happy kids without us being concerned.

You bring up a good point. If you do this, you should also randomly test your spouse. Your spouse or kids should randomly test you.

It sounds like there are no issues and no one trusts each other after one child had problems with drugs. So why stop at your other kid. It’s only fair to randomly test the entire family. Adults can also do drugs.

[Anonymous]

^ and btw that is sarcasm for those of you who don’t get it. No, don’t drug test your kid.

[Anonymous]

It’s illegal for kids to do it. And more harmful to their brains. This high potency stuff is more addicting. Keep putting your head in the sand but my high schooler says most kids are doing drugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Randomly testing a kid who shows no signs of anything problematic is a great way to ruin your relationship

Exactly this. You are going to wreck your relationship with an otherwise good kid. It's different if there's a history of drug use and the kid has gone to rehab and is seeing therapists and on meds and the whole nine yards. And you suspect they're using again. But for a normal, healthy, solid kid, you are going to obliterate your relationship with drug tests.

This. It just smacks of not having an actual relationship with your kid.