Drug Test for a Teenager: Why You Should Give Your Teen a Drug Test

There are several different types of drug tests that can be done for various reasons. Click here to see why you need a drug test for a teenager.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 36% of high school students have tried marijuana at least one time. Moreover, 5% have tried cocaine and 6% admit to using inhalants to get high.

If you’re the parent of an adolescent, these are unsettling numbers.

The reality is that you can provide the safest and most stable home life for your child, and one instance of peer pressure can crumble the drug-free foundation you worked hard to build.

You’ve heard of company-issued drug tests for new employees, but did you know you can buy a drug test for a teenager? It’s available, and it could open the doors to that important conversation you’ve been dreading.

Today, we’re sharing a few reasons to make this move today.

Ready to learn more? Let’s get started.

There’s No Stereotypical Drug Abuser

Think only the kid on the corner smokes pot? The one with the long hair, skateboard, and parents who are never home?

Think again.

The most clean-cut offspring of the most respected family on the block aren’t immune. Drug abuse can strike anyone who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. All it takes is one hit for someone to crave more, and the vicious cycle begins.

Once more, a recent study revealed that private school pupils are more likely to experience drug and alcohol addiction as young adults than their less privileged cohorts. If your teen knows that his parents can perform a random drug test at home, he may be less likely to succumb to peer pressure.

Today, drug screening kits are available online or at your local drugstore. They’re easy to pick up and a cinch to perform. If you have any degree of uncertainty about your child’s activities, you can put your mind to rest with a few steps.

The Internet Facilitates Drug Abuse

Your child hangs out with a great group of kids who you believe to be drug-free. Besides, he can’t drive and couldn’t exactly meet a drug dealer on the corner. So, you should be safe, right?

Turns out, there could be a dealer lurking in your home office.

Today, more teens than ever before are taking to the internet to indulge their drug habit. Consider the recent case of two Utah teenagers who died after overdosing on a synthetic drug known as “pink.” According to search warrants, the 13-year-old boys ordered the drug from China over the internet for about $40.

From the dark web, which makes it easy to stay anonymous online, to the rise of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, it’s not difficult to bring drugs to your doorstep with a few clicks.

Prescription Drug Use is on the Rise

According to a recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), more than 5,700 youth use prescription pills without a doctor’s guidance each year.

The most invasive drug problem in the United States isn’t cocaine. It isn’t even heroin or methamphetamine. Rather, it’s prescription medication and your teenager could have constant access to it through your medicine cabinet.

Take a look at yours. It could be full of:

• Benzodiazepines (Valium or Xanax)
• Sleeping pills (Ambien)
• Opioids (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, or Tramadol)

No one wants to be the drug dealer to their own child, but these are the facts to consider. A random drug test can help make sure your teen isn’t shopping for a high while you sleep.

Your Options are Vast

Not sure if the standard urine test kits are for you? There are many forms of drug testing you can pursue instead.

For instance, you can test your teen’s hair, nails, saliva and even sweat for the presence of drugs. The best part about these alternative forms of testing (especially hair tests) is that they make it difficult for participants to tamper with the results.

Look into a mouth swab drug test, 8-panel drug test, oral fluid drug test or an instant drug test if you’re ready to explore options beyond the typical types. While some of these methods require further refinement to be as accurate as other models, they’re viable routes to pursue.

Testing Spurs a Deeper Dialogue

Of course, any time you test your teenager for drugs, you should do so without secrecy. Sneaking a test in unannounced can lead to distrust, which can make it harder for your teen to open up to you down the road.

Make sure your child understands what’s happening and consents to the test before moving forward. Explain why you’re taking this step and why you have reason to believe that drug abuse is happening. Set consequences for positive readings and sit down to talk about the results — no matter what those are.

With evidence and data to work from, you already have a starting point and ice-breaker. If the test is positive, ask your teen to explain the circumstances and take treatment measures from there. Even if it’s negative, this is a great time to open those lines of communication and keep them clear moving forward.

Research shows that only one in four teens feels like they are receiving adequate parental guidance when it comes to drug awareness. An at-home drug test can help you change that statistic for the better.

Find a Drug Test for a Teenager Here

You’re doing your best as a parent. Yet, you aren’t the only influence over your impressionable teenager.

From school hallways to parties, there are opportunities to try drugs at every corner. One of the best ways to ensure your child knows to say “no” is to buy a drug test for a teenager and make its presence known.

Ensure consent, set a timeline and talk about everything you find. This could be the change you’ve both needed for a while now.

When you’re ready, we’d love to help.

We offer a range of at-home hair drug testing kits available for easy purchase online. Take a look at our inventory and find the type of test that’s right for you. Contact us with any questions and take back your child’s future today.