DRUG TESTING METHODS
If necessary, part of preventing drug use in the home lies with drug testing. Sometimes verbalizing a no drug policy isn’t enough. In fact, opting to perform drug testing on your child or teen can greatly reduce the likelihood of their trying drugs or succumbing to peer pressure.
Whether or not to establish drug testing in the home is an important decision and there are many factors to consider. Your child may be hurt or upset by your decision, even if it is made with their best interests in mind. It is important to let them know your reasons and listen to their opinions and concerns.
There are many types of drug tests available on the consumer market today, but which one is right for you and your family? The following three drug testing methods work well in the home setting and require little to no experience.
What type of drug testing?
Each drug testing method, as we will talk about more in detail below, has advantages and disadvantages. Weighing the pros and cons of testing methods for you and your child’s case is the best way to decide.
Which drugs should I test for?
There is a wide variety of drugs that you need to be concerned about. In one of the following sections, we will talk more about different drug types and that should give you an idea about which drugs are more important. Also keep in mind that depending on the state or city you reside in, different drugs might be more popular than others. It would be a good idea to ask around the community and school district for advice. At a minimum, here are the most popular drugs that you should consider drug testing your child for: Marijuana, Amphetamines, Ecstasy and Cocaine.
When to drug test?
Frequent and random drug testings are important factors for a successful drug-free home. With all the test adulteration methods and materials available to purchase on the Internet, drug testing your child on a predictable schedule is not a good idea. Even if your child is not successful in their attempts to cheat the drug test, there is no reason why you should give them the chance.
DRUG TESTING METHODS:
URINE DRUG TESTING
Urine drug testing is one of the most popular methods of random drug testing for recent drug use, as they are easy to use and provide fast and accurate results.This method can detect the presence of drugs in urine from 1 day up to 7 days after the drug has entered a person's system. The big advantage to urine drug testing, is that you have the ability to test up to 10 different drugs at one time.
| Pros of URINE Drug Testing |
Cons of URINE Drug Testing |
- Highly dependable
- Highly accurate
- Cost effective
- Immediate results
- Easy to store
- No lab analysis necessary
- An affordable choice for random employee testing
|
- Limited day detection window
- Somewhat invasive
- Cut-off levels for drugs apply
- Tampering of sample can occur if it is collected out of sight |
SALIVA DRUG TESTING
Detecting drug use with a saliva (oral fluids) drug test kit is a clean and easy drug screening technique. This method provides fast, accurate results and can detect up to 6 drugs instantly. It is often the preferred method of screening in the workplace and home as it is non-evasive. Its detection window starts within hours and will good up to 2-3 days.
| Pros of SALIVA Drug Testing |
Cons of SALIVA Drug Testing |
- Non-intrusive
- Donor-friendly
- Detects recent drug use
- Difficult to adulterate
- Immediate results
- No lab analysis necessary
- An affordable choice for random employee
testing
|
- Small detection window
- Smoking and the rate of saliva production can cause inconclusive results
|
HAIR FOLLICLE DRUG TESTING
Hair Follicle Drug Testing is a trusted drug testing method with the longest detection period. It can detect drugs within approx. 10 days and can detect upto 90 days.
| Pros of HAIR FOLLICILE Drug Testing |
Cons of HAIR FOLLICILE Drug Testing |
- Can detect drugs for up to 90 days
- Donor-friendly
- Easy to store
- Difficult to adulterate
- Highly accurate
- Non-invasive
|
- Longer results waiting period as samples must be sent to the lab
- Does not detect very recent drug use (of up to 1.5 weeks)
-Costs more than urine or saliva drug testing
|
What Is The Best Way To Test My Child?
Random drug testing is by far the best method for testing children for drug use. In this fashion, you are much more likely to catch drug abuse if it is occurring or discourage use altogether.
Urine or saliva drug tests are the best way to accomplish random drug testing as they are quick, effective methods that are kind to the pocketbook. For added assurance, add a hair drug test to the mix every six months to a year. These tests detect a larger-window of drug use and allow
you a sense of certainty, whether or not your child is using drugs.
Is It Right To Test My Own Child?
No one likes to think that their teen is using drugs. But knowing the truth and acting on it is of more help than living in denial of the situation.
Performing drug tests on your teen can also potentially save them from jail time or becoming addicted to illegal substances. You may feel as though you’re invading their privacy, but using a drug testing kit on your teen could save them from a life of addiction.
Utilizing drug testing in the home can put a stop to drug use before it starts. A good drug testing policy that incorporates random and periodic drug testing can help to ensure your teenager is
drug-free. And although it may seem difficult to start, placing your child on the road to a life without drugs early on helps to guarantee that they will have a brighter future and a happy, healthy life. The time, effort, and money are worth it when weighed against your child’s future.
Why Drug Test:
Students
1. The risk of injury is not isolated only to athletics. A school is responsible for the health and safety of its students during all extracurricular activities, including traveling to and from such activities.
2. With athletes there is a risk of physical harm to the user and other players. Athletes must be healthy to withstand the rigors of sports. Since drug use impairs health and reaction time, it is beneficial to drug test student athletes to reduce the risk of physical harm to the tested student and other athletes.
3. Random drug testing is not currently mandatory for all students in public schools, but a program can be administered to students who have voluntarily chosen to participate in extracurricular activities. Students are free to not participate and thus avoid a drug test.
4. Student athletes and students in extracurricular activities take leadership roles in the school community. They set an example for other students, many of who are vulnerable to illicit drug use. Deterring drug use by athletes and students in extracurricular activities has a beneficial effect on all students.
5. Students are children under the temporary custody of the school and the schools takes on the role of surrogate parent.
6. Public school children have less expectation of privacy than the general population because they have to submit to physical examinations, including urine tests, and be vaccinated.
7. School athletes have even less of a expectation of privacy because communal undressing is inherent in athletics. Additionally, they are subject to more stringent and frequent medical examinations.
Employees/Pre-Employment
1. Candidates that are drug-free have a lower turnover, reducing hiring and training costs.
2. A well-publicized pre-employment drug testing program will "pre-screen" unwanted job candidates.
3. Drug-free employees have fewer health problems, creating lower health costs.
4. Drug abusers create worker's compensation claims at more than twice the level of non-abusers.
5. Drug abusers are four times more likely to injure a fellow employee.
6. Employee theft is a significantly greater problem with drug abusers.
