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As a parent searching for answers, you may be considering drug testing with the expectation that it will discourage your child from experimenting with drugs, hopefully preventing a world of hurt down the road. If you suspect your child is already using substances, you may assume that testing will discourage experimental use before it escalates into serious use or addiction.
Testing your child can make a lot of sense for worried families. After all, testing kits are readily available, relatively inexpensive and easy to use. However, many experts recommend against drug testing our kids unless it is done by a medical professional, and only when it is truly warranted.
Here are some difficult questions parents ask when considering drug testing:
What about timing?
Timing is tricky because various drugs react very differently. For example, marijuana leaves the system slowly and may result in positive tests for several days or even a month, depending on the amount and frequency of use. On the other hand, cocaine, heroin and meth generally clear the system very quickly, usually in one to three days.
With that in mind, should you test once a week or more often? On Monday mornings? The day after a party or social event? Random tests provide the element of surprise, but they also present the possibility that your timing will be off and your child will test negative, even if they have has used during the past few days.
Is testing an invasion of my kid's privacy?
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that testing can be an invasive breach of trust that may damage the relationship between parent and child. If not done correctly, you may be viewed as a police officer rather than a parent, which does little to promote a healthy, trusting relationship. Regaining lost trust with a child who feels betrayed is never easy.
In general, it’s risky to test your child without a really good reason. A kid who has no intention of experimenting with drugs or alcohol will understandably resent the lack of trust indicated by testing without clear justification.
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