Drug and alcohol addiction and abuse. Recognition. Prevention. Treatment
20/20 Parenting. Recognizing and mitigating early vulnerabilities and risk factors.
Kerry’s Journal
Reflections, Experiences, Shared Vision
September 25, 2006
Yesterday's The Province newspaper published an article on drug testing for crystal meth:
B.C. Mayor wants to test kids for crystal meth
This is a sensitive topic I feel I must respond to, drug-testing as a parental option that is.
Firstly, according to two studies*, a very large percentage of drugging and drinking youth's parents are unaware that their beloved offspring are engaging in this risky behavior, thus they are unable to consider drug testing.
Secondly, if we do suspect as much, even if only fleetingly as I did when Ryan was experimenting, it is too easy to talk ourselves out of taking action... deciding to give our youth the benefit of the doubt. "After all," we think, "my child is too smart to do that! Haven't I taught him/her about the dangers of drugs and alcohol?"
Unfortunately, head knowledge is not always enough when unresolved, often invisible vulnerabilities of the heart (emotions) and brain (physiology) are at play. Furthermore, unless trained in drug and alcohol addiction, we don't understand that our youths are excellent at hiding and distorting the truth. Why? – in part to avoid having to "face the music" with us.
If addicted they will also be driven to protect the source of their addiction – (substance(s) or activities). This drive can be so strong that it can result in many a bare-faced lie, so apparently sincere that many of us have been fooled. Please remember that this is the drug talking, that your youth is out of self-control and NOT themselves at this point.
Add to this that we parents are excellent at erring on the side of caution, anxious to avoid harming our relationship with them. I ask, what good is your relationship with your child if it is replaced with an addictive mind-controlling substance that can literally destroy them? If you are feeling those niggly feelings that something is going on, you owe it to yourself and your child to at least talk about it.
For some great suggestions on how to broach the subject, including that of drug-testing, I suggest you download our e-guide on crystal meth. It contains many excellent suggestions and two sources for drug test kits. Yes, contrary to the apparent inference of the Province article, this tool IS readily available to parents, even locally in BC, and legal to implement with your youth's cooperation.
The drug-test website source we've listed also explains how and why the Founder's family has successfully used a home drug-testing program as prevention for many years. Perhaps something to consider.
As always, consultation with a qualified health professional, experienced in drugs and alcohol, is also advisable.
*Studies are listed at the bottom of the introduction on our Drugs and Alcohol page.
Kerry Jackson
PS: I do wish I had known about drug test kits when Ryan was 15. I also wish I had known then what I've just written about regarding the addict's typical dishonesty and my own typical parental blindfolds. I would have done my best to get his cooperation with testing. However, drug test kits may not have been available then (1990).
