Since 46 percent of teenagers reported this year that they have used drugs, it is a challenge today to raise healthy, drug free children. The availability of drugs coupled with the peer pressure teenagers face would lead one to think drug use, or at least drug experimentation, is inevitable, but it is not. Drug use is not a normal part of adolescence and abstinence is feasible if you start talking with your children about the repercussions of drug use at an early age. The negative effects of teen drug use are undeniable and obvious. When considering those negative effects, it is alarming to see some of the actual statistics concerning the amount of teen drug use in high schools and middle schools. In addition, many parents have felt that their teen's alcohol use is ok because it isn't a harder drug like crack, or heroine. However, it should be noted that alcohol kills five times more teenagers than all other drugs combined(usually through accidents). In a thirty day test period 50% of teenagers report drinking with 32% being drunk at least on one occasion. If your thinking about drug testing your teen? You are not alone. Thousands of parents are turning to home drug tests. If you suspect your teenager is using drugs or alcohol or you notice unexplained changes in physical appearance or behavior, it may be a sign of substance use.

Starting a random drug and alcohol testing program in your home could be one of the most important decisions a parent has to make these days. Statistics have shown that 65% of our children will try their first cigarette, their first marijuana cigarette or their first alcoholic beverage between the 5th and 8th grade. 65% of all kids who start drinking before age 15 will try illegal drugs. This happens primarily because when kids enter the middle school they are surrounded by older kids who may be using drugs and alcohol. Kids at this age are extremely vulnerable to peer pressure because they are striving for acceptance into groups. Parents have a chance to keep their child from falling into the traps of peer pressure by simply keeping a drug test kit available at home. Most kids want to say “NO” but are pressured too much by friends into doing things they would normally prefer not to do. Now your child has a good reason to say “NO” that would be socially acceptable to his/her peers. They may say…“I can’t my parents randomly drug test me and I’ll loose…” (what ever privileges the child gets i.e. cell phone, computer, driving privileges for older kids). Let your child know that if you see any of the signs listed below that show they may be using drugs or alcohol you will test them. Your child may say “you don’t trust me”. It’s not about trust or violating our children’s privacy. It’s about getting our children through the toughest years of their lives..

Many parents however , feel that their situation requires some sort of proof or report card to let them know how well their child is doing staying away from drugs, alcohol or tobacco. A Drug Free Kid LLC has the tools available to do exactly that. We carry a complete line of drug, alcohol and tobacco tests for use in the privacy of your home. All of our drug tests are 99+% accurate and render laboratory quality results. If your child takes prescription medication we suggest you contact your doctor for false positive possibilities on drug tests. Although these tests are extremely accurate you should follow up all positive results with laboratory confirmation.
Feel free to check out our products and we are sure you will find a test to suit your needs. You can also contact us for help in selecting drug test kits.

Watch list for parents

1. Change in friends
   
2. Negative changes in school work, missing school work, or declining grades.
   
3. Increased secrecy about possessions or activities
   
4. Use of incense, room deodorant, or perfume to hide smoke or chemical odors.
   
5. Subtle changes in conversations with friends, e.g. more secretive, using “coded” language.
   
6. Change in clothing choices: new fascination with clothes that highlight drug use.
   
7. Increase in borrowing money.
   
8. Evidence of drug paraphernalia such as pipes, rolling papers,etc.
   
9. Evidence of use of inhalant products (such as hairspray, nail polish, correction fluid, common household products): Rags and paper bags are sometimes used as accessories.
   
10. Bottles of eye drops, which may be used to mask bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils.
    
11. New use of mouthwash or breath mints to cover up the smell of alcohol.
    
12. Missing prescription drugs-especially narcotics and mood stabilizers. These changes often signal that something harmful is going on-and often that involves alcohol or drugs. However some of these signs also indicate there may be a deeper problem with depression, gang involvement, or suicide. Be on the watch for these signs so you can spot trouble before it goes to far.
    

Note: Although these tests are extremely accurate you should follow up any positive results with laboratory confirmation to eliminate the possibility of false positives.