Reply #2: Totally voluntary. Touting it as something "parents who care" do. [View All]

[IdaBriggs]

Problem 1: Most parents who aren't into drugs probably wouldn't recognize heroin or meth or crack (for example) if they saw it.

Problem 2: Is your kid on drugs, or just being hyper / lazy / going through a tough time / etc.? Using "mood swings" as an indicator when dealing with an adolescent is kind of a non-starter.

Problem 3: YOU may be the perfect responsible parent, but unfortunately, there are also a lot of parents like my sister out there, and YOUR CHILD is spending time with THEIR CHILDREN.

Problem 4: Drugs are fun. Being the only one (or FEELING like the only one) at a party who isn't partaking isn't. Once you try something once, and the world doesn't end, its a lot easier to be dismissive of "concerns" about drug use -- and teenagers, by and large, believe themselves to be immortal.

Problem 5: Kids lie when they don't want to get in trouble, and they don't respect the gullible. "My kid tells me everything" is usually a not-very-funny joke. Are they REALLY going to tell you "bad stuff" about other people -- and if they do, are you still going to let them hang out with them?

The nice things about private, at home drug testing include:

1) Its cheap. $5 (or less) on average, available over the internet. A good funeral runs between ten and fifteen grand in our area.

2) Its either positive or its not. There is no OPINION about a positive pee stick result. You can't "accidentally unknowingly" be exposed to Heroin or Ecstasy or Meth or Crack.

3) Knowing there is a problem gives the parent time to SOLVE the problem. Before the funeral.

4) It provides a tool for the "just say no" kid: "My parents do random drug testing, and they'll take away my car / stereo / phone privileges / etc. if I do it."

5) It reminds kids that parents can hold them accountable for what they do when the parents aren't around. In other words, YOU WILL GET CAUGHT BECAUSE YOUR PARENTS CARE.

6) When it comes out negative, it gives a parent a chance to REWARD AND PRAISE their teenager. "I'm so proud of you!" is something every teenager CRAVES hearing, and a kid who doesn't test positive is DEFINITELY someone to be proud of!!!