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You are not alone
WITH DETECT NOW™
DRUG TEST
Drug problems can effect every one of us regardless of
age, sex, race, income level, lifestyle, or family makeup.
You can be the
difference--
Communication is the most powerful tool you
have to help your child remain drug-free.
Frequent, open and early communication.
Knowing the facts about illegal drugs and
learning to communicate with your children
will help your child decide not to use drugs.
Common Use of Drugs Among
Our Children
Drug use among children is extremely common. The truth is
children are facing more potent drugs at younger ages. One
in four 9-12 year olds was offered drugs last year and the trial
use of marijuana doubled in this group.
The numbers jump dramatically with older children. Almost one quarter of seventh graders and one third of eight graders reported trying marijuana. One in three high-school seniors reported using drugs this year. Most importantly, kids who use tobacco, alcohol and marijuana are more likely to go on to experiment with more potent, serious and harmful drugs.
When will my child be susceptible
to the influence of drugs?
Kids are beginning to use more potent drugs at younger ages
than ever before. In the 1960s and 1970s the average age
kids started smoking marijuana was 16 years. Today the average
has dropped to 13 years meaning even younger kids
are starting to use drugs when they are still in elementary
school. In fact, one in four 9-12 year olds was offered drugs
last year and drug use has doubled within this age group.
The facts are clear, no child of any age is immune from the
risk of substance abuse.
Children are most vulnerable to peer pressure at transition times, as they grow from one developmental stage to another. The biggest transition is when they graduate from elementary school to junior high school when social challenges increase dramatically. During this transition, children feel an intense pressure to fit in as they start hanging out with older kids. It is at this stage that they are very likely to encounter drug use.
As kids get older their exposure to drugs increases, the availability increases, and their fear of drugs decreases. One of the most startling revelations by teens is that illegal drugs are cited as the most serious problem they face, far above any other concern. All children will be forced to choose whether or not to use drugs by the time they graduate high school.
Young children at risk.
Young children are particularly vulnerable because they don't
have the knowledge and understanding they need to make in
informed decision about whether or not to try drugs. Unfortunately,
parents tend to talk more with teens about drugs because
it is hard to imagine that children in elementary school
are at risk. Children in this age group report they are receiving
less information about the dangers of drugs whether from family
and friends, schools, television or the media in general. As a
result, fewer of these young children report knowing what to
do if someone offers them drugs. It is therefore necessary for
parents to take a more aggressive and active role than ever
before in educating their children about drugs.
Kids do experiment with drugs.
Most kids will have some experience with drugs. Drugs cross
all socio-economic and racial lines. Your child is not immunized
by being a cheerleader, a straight A student or "too
young". Every child in every community is at risk. It is normal
for your child to want to experiment. Children are faced with
tough decisions about drugs every day. The combination of
curiosity, peer pressure and risk-taking behavior are all normal
for a developing adolescent. It makes it difficult to say no to
drugs. However, don't resign yourself to the fact that your child
will experiment. You can help your child choose a path which
reduces their risk of drug use. If your child does experiment,
you can support them through this difficult process. They are
not bad for wanting to fit in. Let them know that they are not
alone. There are important facts to keep in mind about experimentation:
Reasonable cause to test your
child's environment.
If you observe any of the symptoms listed it does not mean
your child is necessarily experimenting with drugs. It may be
reasonable on your part as a parent to further investigate. The
best way is to open lines of communication with your child to
discuss any potential problems and/or changes in behavior
openly.
How does Detect Now™ Drug Test
fit into your family guidelines?
Detect Now™ should be thought of as a preventative measure. It provides you, the parent, with the ability to immediately and confidentially check your child's environment for
traces of drug use. This can be done at your discretion either
with the child's knowledge or without the child's knowledge. Detect Now™ can test your child's environment for trace
amounts of marijuana or cocaine. It is a non-invasive test not
requiring any personal samples of hair, urine, saliva or other
bodily fluids. It tests the child's environment only. Minute traces
of drugs, like marijuana, cocaine or crack can be present on
surfaces such as desk tops, computer keyboards, car steering wheels, bathrooms, clothing,
and drug paraphernalia, etc.
I'm concerned about hard drugs like
LSD, Cocaine, and Heroin, but is
Marijuana really that bad?
Marijuana is the overwhelming drug of choice among kids.
Research shows that 45% of children try marijuana before they
graduate high school. With all the talk of legalization, many
people wonder if marijuana is really addictive and whether it
has significant long-term health effects. It is important to realize
that the marijuana kids smoke today can be significantly
stronger than it was in the past. Stronger marijuana means
stronger effects. Marijuana impairs short term memory and
has effects on perceptions, judgment and motor skills. As a
result young people who decide to smoke marijuana and drive
a car or have sex may be at an increased risk for car accidents
and sexually transmitted diseases. Long term, habitual
marijuana use can result in chronic anxiety, paranoia and depression.
Drugs can be harmful in many different ways, both immediately and over time. The biggest danger we face with our children is providing misinformation or no information about drugs. All drugs are dangerous to your children. Don't fool yourself that one is less of a problem than another. Here is a brief overview of the names and effects of the two most common drugs readily available to your children:
| Marijuana Commonly known as pot, weed, reefer, Mary Jane, bud, herb, hash, chronic, boo, broccoli | Effects and the signs of use: Sense of relaxation and euphoria followed by sleepiness, lethargy. Impairs short term memory, judgment and motor skills. Can cause paranoia, depression, anxiety. |
| Cocaine Commonly known as coke (crack cocaine), snow, blow, nose candy, rock, freebase, Big C | Effects and the signs of use: Intense, immediate high, increased energy lasting 10-20 minutes. Heightened pleasure and confidence. Restlessness, irritability and anxiety. Can cause heart attack and seizure. |
How can I tell if my child'
is using drugs?
It is difficult to separate typical exploratory adolescent behavior
from drug induced behavior. A teen's behavior when dealing
with hormonal changes, developing a sense of self by rebelling,
and dealing with the feelings associated with social
peer pressure are confusing enough. This behavior can be
misinterpreted as signs of drug use. You should however pay
attention to the following extreme changes:
|
Behavioral - Emotional
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Drop in school performance Change in groups of friends Giving up important activities such as hobbies or sports Rebellious or aggressive behavior Deterioration in family relationships Depression, withdrawal and isolation Defensiveness |
|
Physical
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Lasting fatigue Red eyes Persistent cough Change in eating or sleeping habits Repeated health complaints Dizzy spells, shaky hands, jittery behavior |
|
Environmental
|
Presence of drug
paraphernalia Evidence of loose tobacco or powders Incense burning New and offensive odors |
What do I do if I get a positive result
using Detect Now™ Drug Test?
A positive result only means that there may be a presence of
drugs, either marijuana, cocaine or crack. This presence is not
100% confirmation that your child is using drugs, but it is confirmation
that a presence of drugs is probable and further testing
by a professional is the next step for confirmation.
Remember, you are not a bad parent. You are not alone. If the test is positive it is important to not blame yourself or your child. It is important to take the next step in facing the problem quickly. There are many resources available for assistance. These resources will council you in what steps to take.
Resources:
Family counselor or clergy.
Phoenix House: 1-800-COCAINE
American Council for Drug Education:
1-800-488-DRUG
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence:
1-800-NCA-CALL
Parent's Resource Institute for Drug Education, Inc.
(PRIDE) 1-800-853-7867.
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