Pubdate: Mon, 29 Nov 2010 Source: Record Searchlight (Redding, CA) Copyright: 2010 Record Searchlight Contact: http://www.redding.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/360 Author: Lauren Forcella KIDS OFTEN THANKFUL FOR HOME DRUG TEST Dear Straight Talk: Lauren, I am curious if you had ever tackled the subject of home drug testing. A lot of parents can't imagine their teens are using drugs, but the sad fact is, many use right under their noses. Some teens use marijuana while others raid the medicine cabinets for a high (sometimes at Gramma and Grampa's house). Some parents look away preferring not to know, others believe it's a complete invasion of privacy to drug test their teen. I wonder what the young people who contribute to your column think. - -- Jeffrey Soto, TeenSaver Diagnostics, Irvine Katelyn, 16, Huntington Beach: Before parents force their teen into a drug test they need evidence of drug use. Have medicines been found on low reserve or missing? Is the teen's behavior different? Does he/she keep more secrets than usual? Are there physical symptoms (drowsiness, bloodshot eyes, decaying teeth, etc.)? Who is the teen hanging out with? Have they switched friends? With cause, testing by parents is not an invasion of privacy. Maureen, 18, Redding: Drug testing is overbearing if there's no sign of drug use. But if you have suspicions or have caught someone, it is a great way to help keep him or her on track. It's very important, though, to address the reason a kid is using drugs. You can't drug test forever and at 18, you lose your power. A rehab counselor can get to the bottom of the problem so your kid will stay on track for himself. Gregg, 19, Sacramento: I got addicted to marijuana at 15 and it had a very negative effect on me. The high altered my personality, making me socially awkward, physically tired, mentally slow and very unhappy. My friends shunned me, my grades dropped. I started hanging out with "drug friends" who were only there because of pot. My parents helped me recover by putting me in outpatient rehab. My friends helped by not wanting to hang out with me when I was high (which really made a statement). As part of rehab, my parents tested me regularly and randomly. I liked it. It made me feel honest because I could prove I was clean when my word was debatable. It also provided an excuse from using drugs when they were offered. When friends asked how long I'd been clean I knew the actual date -- and being tested, they believed me more. Also, my parents began trusting me again. Testing clean ensured them the rehab counseling was working and they congratulated me each time I passed (I definitely fell off the wagon at first). Honestly, I loved being tested by my parents and was thankful to start college clean. I'm back to how I used to be, feeling great each day. Dear Jeffrey: The feedback here is pretty standard among young people and I agree that for cause, drug testing is a good idea. Many parents project the negative mood toward drug testing that was prevalent in their youth, but most Millennial Generation kids don't think that way. Drugs are the "invasion of privacy," not parents. Drug use starts younger today and the drugs are stronger. Kids get lost much easier and sincerely want and need help getting back to how they used to be. If parents don't help, who will? Parents: Most drug test kits and breathalyzers aren't cheap, but they're worth it. (Beware of borrowed urine -- search the Internet for "cheating a drug test" to detect other tricks.) I also can't recommend outpatient rehab enough to heal the source of the addictive tendency -- even for "just alcohol" or "just pot." Rehab isn't stigmatized by today's youth. I found it surprising, too, but many kids really like rehab and the freedom from addiction they receive can stick with them for life. - -- Lauren For more discussion, to ask a question, or inquire about being a youth panelist, visit http://www.straighttalkforteens.com or write POB 963 Fair Oaks, CA 95628. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt