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<p>I was going to stay out of the fray but I do tend to agree with this. If I felt the need to drive some distance to surprise drug screen my kid said kid would probably not be at a live away college but that’s just me.</p>
<p>The reason parents surprise their kids is because if they know a test is coming they can often beat the test. That’s why drug tests – whether in the workplace or by parents – are not that effective if there is advance warning.</p>
<p>The article parent1986 posted does have some good points - knew many kids who used MDMA/LSD in high school because it didn’t show up on the drug tests they had to take.</p>
<p>The issue of the reliability of drug testing and being able to “beat the test” was discussed recently in another thread.</p>
<p>I am sure an MD said it is impossible to do.</p>
<p>I think it depends on the drug. Some drugs pass out of the system quickly and some stay in the system for weeks. So if you know your parents are coming up on Saturday, depending on the drug, you may be able to stop for a few days and beat the test – by which I mean give them the idea you are not using when, in fact, you did not use for a few days. I should have been clearer.</p>
<p>[Should</a> You Test Your Teen for Drugs?](<a href=“Teenage Drug Use Statistics [2023]: Data & Trends on Abuse”>Teenage Drug Use Statistics [2023]: Data & Trends on Abuse)</p>
<p>“Experts Advise Against Drug Testing
In the March 3, 2007 edition of the journal Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published a policy statement opposing the administration of drug tests to young people at home or in school.
Citing concerns about the safety, accuracy, and effectiveness of the tests, as well as issues related to privacy and access to rehabilitation, the AAP stated that is has “strong reservations about testing adolescents at school or at home and believes that more research is needed.”
In addition to taking an official stand against this type of drug testing, the AAP also issued the following recommendations:
The AAP supports rigorous scientific study of both the safety and efficacy of school- and home-based drug testing of adolescents.
The AAP recommends that school- and home-based drug testing not be implemented before its safety and efficacy are established and adequate substance abuse assessment and treatment services are available.
The AAP encourages parents who are concerned that their child may be using drugs or alcohol to consult their child’s primary care physician or other health professional rather than rely on school-based drug screening or use home drug-testing products.
The AAP recommends that health care professionals who obtain drug tests or assist others in interpreting the results of drug tests be knowledgeable about the relevant technical aspects and limitations of the procedures.”</p>
<p>READ MORE AT LINK</p>
<p>[AAP</a> PARENTING CORNER Q & A: DRUG TESTING](<a href=“http://www.aap.org/publiced/BR_DrugTesting.htm]AAP”>Error | AAP) AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS</p>
<p>"My teenager has been acting very strange lately, should I have him tested for drugs?</p>
<p>If your teen suddenly becomes moody, is spending time with a different group of friends, or starts failing in school, you may wonder if drugs are to blame. While medically testing your teen for drug use may seem like a straightforward way to get an answer, it probably is not the best way.</p>
<p>Drug tests are not always reliable, and your teen may resent being tested. Other methods may be better. Through confidential interviews and questionnaires, your pediatrician can help assess whether your teen has a drug problem without resorting to lab tests.</p>
<p>If your teen does undergo a drug test, it should be voluntary. The American Academy of Pediatrics opposes involuntary drug tests. Consult your pediatrician if you believe your teen should be tested for drug use."</p>
<p>READ MORE AT LINK</p>
<p>[3</a> serious problems with home drug tests for teens](<a href=“http://recoveringaddict.hubpages.com/hub/3-serious-problems-with-home-drug-tests-for-teens]3”>3 serious problems with home drug tests for teens | HubPages)</p>
<p>NOTE NUMBER 2</p>
<p>Very interesting discussion.</p>
<p>I unfortunately had to take the step of drug testing my 17 year-old son this past January. </p>
<p>My wife and I were settled in watching “The Blind Side” (been sitting unwatched for months from Netflix). My phone rings, this is what I’m presented with "This is officer so-and-so from “my-town” PD. We have your son with us. He was parked in a discrete area with two of his friends this evening and was happened upon by our patrol. Inside in plain view were open alcohol container and shall we say “make-shift” drug inhalation device and a weedy substance. Can you come to the scene and claim your son.</p>
<p>I had to have the officer repeat a third time before I fully comprehended what I was hearing. Believe me we suspected such activities may be taking place, but never dreamed the police would have the goods on him before we did. As he was under 18, the police would let him experience this as a learning opportunity and release him to us for proper handling within the family unit. They did tell us however that his name would be entered in an “off-line” database.</p>
<p>I decided drug testing was called for after questioning my son on the drive home (no yelling transpired, just respectful discussion). I asked him if I tested him right then would he pass; answer, probably not. OK I’ll give you one week to detox then I will test, and you damn well better pass. He agreed. One week later he was tested, passed and we had a base line.</p>
<p>Our agreement from there has been that I would only test if he gave me reason to be suspicious. I would explain my suspicions to him so he would understand what I am seeing and give him an opportunity to respond, but the explanation had to be sensical. I would then ask, if I determined that testing was still warranted, “If I test you now will you pass?” If the answer is no, he loses privileges immediately and I will test in one weeks time. </p>
<p>If the answer to the first question is “yes, he will pass” we test and the expectation is a negative. If god forbid he should fail the test, it was explained that he would be severely testing our confidence in his cognitive abilities and severe consequences would ensue from that moment.</p>
<p>I have not tested since that first incident, and he is now over 18. He is attending college locally (his choice) and living under our roof, and he knows that the agreement still is in force. I feel that since he has been caught with the goods once by the PD it is our responsibility to stay vigilant on this issue. To the person above that states “testing your over 18 child is illegal”, bullchit. I don’t consult a law book when it comes to the health and welfare of my own child still living under my own roof. And I don’t care about links to publications by the AAP.</p>
<p>^^^Great post!</p>
<p>RSBuletz, thanks for sharing your story. I agree with you. Under my roof, on my dime…my rules. You can agree to them, or not. There is the front door. But living under my roof and on my dime comes with obligations.</p>
<p>Agree- excellent post! </p>
<p>And as for the link referencing the 2007 AAP policy- Parent1986 made a “slight omission” re: their policy that makes all the difference in the world. What their policy said was:“The American Academy of Pediatrics continues to believe that adolescents should not be drug tested** without their knowledge and consent.** Recent US Supreme Court decisions and market forces have resulted in recommendations for drug testing of adolescents at school and products for parents to use to test adolescents at home. The American Academy of Pediatrics has strong reservations about testing adolescents at school or at home and believes that more research is needed on both safety and efficacy before school-based testing programs are implemented. The American Academy of Pediatrics also believes that more adolescent-specific substance abuse treatment resources are needed to ensure that testing leads to early rehabilitation rather than to punitive measures only”. [Testing</a> for Drugs of Abuse in Children and Adolescents: Addendum–Testing in Schools and at Home – Committee on Substance Abuse and Council on School Health 119 (3): 627 – AAP Policy](<a href=“http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;119/3/627]Testing”>http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;119/3/627) Too bad parent1986 chose to post only reworded or paraphrased opinions of the AAP’s policy statement. Good grief.</p>
<p>Thanks for the link Jym. It is illegal to post a full article, which is why I posted a link and a small part of the article. What you posted is available at the links I posted.</p>
<p>Not buying it, parent1986. What you posted were selected redacted parts of the articles that distorted what the AAP truly said.</p>
<p>Thanks, again, Jym. I appreciate the correction.</p>
<p>Happy to help.</p>
<p>The next part of the info from the link in post # 47 [3</a> advantages of a family teen drug testing policy](<a href=“http://recoveringaddict.hubpages.com/hub/The-advantages-of-a-family-teen-drug-testing-policy]3”>3 advantages of a family teen drug testing policy | HubPages)</p>
<p>The above link by Jym, proceeds, as follows:</p>
<p>"Should you be drug testing your teen?</p>
<p>There is no clear consensus whether drug testing your teenage children is ultimately a positive thing to do. Experts from all sides agree only to disagree, and there are some clear positives but also some legitimate negatives associated with the action.</p>
<p>The issues circle rights to privacy and respect versus a parent’s need to know…and a parent’s desire to protect their kids from the dangers of drugs and or alcohol."</p>
<p>READ THE REST OF THE LINK</p>
<p>We get it–differences of opinion exists. There’s no argument to “win” here. All families – and 18 year olds-- can make their own decisions and deal with their own consequences because it’s still the good ole USA. there are so called experts whose advice we should consider. Often it’s good–most of the time in fact. But occasionally it’s self serving, And I can say that about the medical field because I’ve worked in it for 30 years. Self referral and fear installation with an eye toward revenue generation exists. I wish I didn’t have to acknowledge that–but I do.</p>
<p>We all as parents make decisions that others will both agree with and disagree with. </p>
<p>What I really want to know from the OP is this…what happened next ?</p>
<p>Well done RSBuletz. I’ve caught and released to the parents many a teen because there’s not much need to ruin the parents life by starting the kid in the courts. Give them the chance. However, when I happen upon them again it’s time to answer for your actions. I recently had the opportunity to arrest a kid after that I had dealt with on a number of occasions over the past six years. I spent time at his house talking with the parents after the first and second time that I dealt with him and I felt for them. This last incident ended up with the kid arrested for selling us LSD. The parents truly did try to get to the kid with professional help and programs, but the kid resisted everything and it broke the family. It all started with weed. To many, especially here, weed is no big deal. Think what you wish, but try to tell that to this kids parents. If you love your kids be nosy and sneaky or you stand the chance of being blindsided. If you have a problem child and want to know how they may be getting by or how to help, go to the source and attend a drug program, without them. Listen and ask questions, you’re eyes might be opened wider than you could expect. There are programs that will be open to you attending as they don’t want your kid there any more than you do so they will try to help.</p>
<p>“The issues circle rights to privacy and respect versus a parent’s need to know…and a parent’s desire to protect their kids from the dangers of drugs and or alcohol.”</p>
<p>When my child’s health and well being is in danger, their right to privacy goes right out the window! As far as respect, I believe the most respectful thing that I can do is intervene and get them the help that they need. I don’t need to read anything to know that this is the right thing to do for my children and no so-called expert is going to change my mind!</p>