Random Drug Testing

In 2004, I adopted a policy to help protect my teenage boys from peer pressure. It was and still is a policy of random drug testing at home. Fifteen years ago, fewer people were using at-home screening tools and prices were higher than we can find today. Not only are test kits available for the most commonly used illicit substances, but there are options to screen for cotinine, as well (cotinine is the main end product wasted in urine as a result of nicotine consumption). This means that, even if your child isn’t selected for random testing at school, parents most certainly can screen their own children at home. Many screening tools are more than 99% accurate and can detect dozens of illegal and controlled substances, including the highly addictive, and most commonly abused drugs. Random testing at home gave my boys an excuse to abstain, without losing face. Providing the security of a random test is much the same as providing and enforcing the use of seatbelts. Most of us won’t be killed in an automobile accident, but it has happened to enough of us that we ALL wear seatbelts, by the rule of law. Consider alcohol, marijuana and vaping; maybe my kid won’t be the one who develops a substance abuse disorder if she experiments… Maybe my kid won’t die, driving drunk…but she could…so I don’t turn a blind eye, and thus allow it, by the rules of the family. It’s important to realize, all people with still-developing brains are at increased risk for developing long-term addictions by using addictive substances before their brains fully mature (some data suggest close to five-times more likely compared to people with fully-developed brains). There’s an association between teen use of addictive stimulants and depressants (including nicotine and alcohol), and injuries, automobile accidents, violence, unwanted sex, lower grades, not finishing school, and problems in maintaining healthy family relationships. Once the human brain is completely developed, consuming pollutants doesn’t take the same toll and carry the same risks. If someone in their mid to late 20’s chooses to drink or vape or partake of marijuana infused edibles, the consequences belong to the adult making the choice. The developing brain, however, requires a delicate chemical balance, and it should be with great care that parents allow the altering of that chemical balance, as it may very well have a lifelong negative impact. It’s a big deal to be responsible for how someone else’s brain develops. If you discovered your teen texting and driving without a seatbelt, you’d take action to affect change. Likewise, I encourage you to be aware and protective of your child’s developing brain, while you are still responsible for his welfare.