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Doctors advise against school drug testing
Filed under: Teens, Health & Safety: Babies, Alcohol & Drugs
When Christy was a teenager, I would have done anything to protect her from the dangers of the world and her own bad judgment. While I know now that her struggles did not involve drugs, there was a time when I was not so sure. If the option to have her drug-tested had been available, I probably would have done it.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is now advising against the practice of schools drug testing kids. Besides being inaccurate, they say the testing can result in kids using even more dangerous drugs; avoiding marijuana and turning to substances such as alcohol, inhalants and Ecstasy, which are not detectable with standard drug testing.
They also claim that drug testing does not curtail drug use and that kids know about the many methods available for defeating the tests. A quick search on the Internet results in pages of advice and products designed to expressly for that purpose.
They also warn of the "resentment, distrust and suspicion" that drug testing creates between kids and those who would test them. What is at issue, according to the doctors, is the lack of substance abuse and mental health programs suitable for the treatment of children. The report suggests that a more appropriate response to a parent's suspicions of drug or alcohol use would be to consult the family physician.
It seems to me that by the time a parent gets scared enough to resort to drug testing, the "distrust and suspicion" is already there. Of course education is an important tool in keeping kids away from drugs, and at six years old Ellie already knows about the dangers. But if the message didn't take and I thought she was dabbling in them, I think I would not hesitate to test her. What about you? Would you drug test your kid?
The American Academy of Pediatrics is now advising against the practice of schools drug testing kids. Besides being inaccurate, they say the testing can result in kids using even more dangerous drugs; avoiding marijuana and turning to substances such as alcohol, inhalants and Ecstasy, which are not detectable with standard drug testing.
They also claim that drug testing does not curtail drug use and that kids know about the many methods available for defeating the tests. A quick search on the Internet results in pages of advice and products designed to expressly for that purpose.
They also warn of the "resentment, distrust and suspicion" that drug testing creates between kids and those who would test them. What is at issue, according to the doctors, is the lack of substance abuse and mental health programs suitable for the treatment of children. The report suggests that a more appropriate response to a parent's suspicions of drug or alcohol use would be to consult the family physician.
It seems to me that by the time a parent gets scared enough to resort to drug testing, the "distrust and suspicion" is already there. Of course education is an important tool in keeping kids away from drugs, and at six years old Ellie already knows about the dangers. But if the message didn't take and I thought she was dabbling in them, I think I would not hesitate to test her. What about you? Would you drug test your kid?
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
3-06-2007 @ 6:10PM
SKL said...I know that I would have been outraged if this were forced on me, so I assume it would greatly strain relationships if I forced it on my child. I would have to have some pretty good evidence against the child before I would take that step.
Reply
3-06-2007 @ 8:42PM
Uly said...You and the AAP are talking about two different things.
The AAP is talking about the practice of schools routinely testing students, either at random, or in order for the students to be eligible for certain programs.
You're talking about parents getting their kids tested after they've already been suspicious for a while that their child may be abusing drugs.
It's not the same at all, and they may have different effects
Reply
3-06-2007 @ 11:40PM
Cassie said...At school, no I wouldn't mind. I am in school, and I think schools have that right. My test would come back clean and because of that I wouldn't resent, distrust or be suspicious of those who would test me. Those who would have "dirty" tests may have those feelings though.
If my parents decided to drug test me, I would probably be kind of upset because I would feel like they didn't trust me. I would take it though, and I feel like they do have the right to test me.
Reply
3-07-2007 @ 4:10AM
Tamyu said...Thinking back, if this had been a school wide thing, with every student being tested... I think I wouldn`t have had any problem being drug tested in high school. I wasn`t, and never have been on drugs, so I wouldn`t have had anything to worry about.
My feelings, of course, only apply if it had been necessary for everyone. It`s when certain people are singled out that it becomes a source of resentment. Otherwise, I likely would have accepted it as just another one of those things schools do - like the periodic eye exams.
Reply