TESTING KIDS

Drug And Alcohol Testing Needs Careful Attention

An affluent New Jersey community made national news this week for offering
free saliva-swabbing alcohol test kits to parents wanting to check up on
their teens. Last summer to less fanfare, Chemical Awareness Resources &
Education followed the example of the Assistance League of Coppell and
started providing area parents with free alcohol and drug testing kits. The
kits, valued at $10 each, include tests for alcohol, marijuana, cocaine,
speed and ecstasy.

The availability of these kits puts parents in a conundrum. Parents can
stock these kits just as they do syrup of Ipecac and hope they never have
to use them. Or they can choose to trust their teens to make consistently
healthy choices.

Some have said testing indicates a lack of trust. The threat itself is
antagonistic and can harm an open dialogue between parent and child.

However, Susan Hutchison, CARE director, sees the test kit as a tool for
some parents, "I would say, 'Sweetheart, I love you but my job as a parent
is to keep you safe. If I ever have a concern about these issues, I want
you to know I will have you tested.'"

Advocates assert having the kit at home is a deterrent to abuse. And an
important part of the kit is its information both on the dangers of alcohol
and drug use, especially to the brains of developing teens, and on the
resources available for dealing with substance abuse.

Too many parents, however, don't want to face their children's issues. The
test kits won't help them, and they won't replace good family communication.

Tests may be an important parenting tool to identify youths in need of
help, but youths must internalize the lesson of responsible behavior.
Otherwise the strictest parents will end up with the wildest children when
the children leave home.

YOU HAVE THE POWER

CARE can be reached at 214- 526-8986.