TEENS TALK ABOUT DRUG TESTS

A group of teens from Seventy-First High School all agreed that narcotics,
tobacco and alcohol home tests have merit, but also said the tests should
not be used randomly by parents. The students said the main drug among
teens is still marijuana. However, they said drugs like ecstasy and other
are gaining ground on alcohol and smoking pot.

Here are their responses:

Shane Hawksworth, 15: "I agree with this because I think parents need to
know what their kids are doing so they can treat their kids."

Hawksworth also said the tests should only be used under direct suspicion
and with secondary tests by doctors.

Maria Titus, 18: "I strongly agree that the parent has the right to buy the
kit simply because if the parent has any suspicion, they should buy the test."

Titus said the tests do not invade privacy because parents are there to
guide children on the right path. She also agreed that the tests should
only be used if the parent has a valid reason.

David Waskiewicz, 17: "I feel that if a child makes a parent suspicious
enough to do a test they should be able to."

Waskiewicz said that suspicion would be strange behavior, slurred speech or
other indicators.

Familia Tharpe, 17: "I believe that if a child is showing symptoms to a
certain extent then it is the parent's responsibility to check in to what
they are doing. But if it is a random test then it is an invasion of privacy."

Emory Anderson, 16: "I feel there should be a trust between parents and
children. But if there is any reason or suspicion of trust being broken,
the test is needed for both the parent and child. It would be a good idea."