Using a Home Drug Test Kit: When To Start Drug Testing Your Teen

Using a Home Drug Test Kit: When to Start Drug Testing Your Teen

By Dr. Deb Carlin

Hopefully, you haven't seen any of the signs of drug use or symptoms of drug use in your teen. (There aren't any yet and you want to keep it that way.) If you're open to the idea of using home drug test kits as part of a preventive plan but don't know what age would be appropriate for you to start testing your teen, then consider this.

As Ben Franklin used to say, "Wise is the man who fixes his roof before it rains." Most credible authorities in the field seem to indicate rather consistently that average age when kids try drugs for the first time is age thirteen. That's the average. That means that plenty of kids try them BEFORE age thirteen. Most counselors and professionals in the field that I've spoken with seem to think that somewhere around the seventh grade makes the most sense to implement a home drug testing program and use your first home drug test kit.

Every family is different and each child is unique. It is important for parents to make informed decisions about whether or not testing is right for their family. Once the decision has been made to move forward in that direction, then timing can become critical. Sooner is usually better than later. Later is usually better than never.

If you want to know more about using home drug tests or picking out the best home drug test kit for your teen, or the steps to starting a home drug testing program, then there are plenty of helpful resources on the Internet. Program checklists, counselor approved strategies and video tutorials are must-see resources available to help you.

Copyright 2010 Test My Teen LLC.

About The Author http://www.testmyteen.com Dr. Deb Carlin is a psychologist who works closely with the TestMyTeen.com initiative. Her work provides home drug test kits and home drug testing strategies to prevent signs of drug use and symptoms of drug use in teens.