Question:
My 14 year old son has admitted to trying marijuana. He has severe asthma. This is not a good thing. I asked my son's
doctor to talk with him and explain the negative effects of marijuana and asthma. I also asked that he drug test my
son.
I was informed that in California you can only have minors 12 and under drug tested. Over 12 and the child must agree,
and sign papers to do it. Also testing results can only be released to the child and not the parent. The child can
show the parent if he decides too. I can't believe parents have no say in this matter. Is it like this in other states?
Fortunately my son wants to have random drug testing done to prove he is not using and reestablish trust with us. It's
his responsibility to prove to us he can be trusted, so that we may continue to allow him the freedom he desires with
his friends. In the future he will be allowed to obtain his driving permit if drug testing is negative. I think it's
probably a great excuse for him to use when confronted with the situation of smoking in the future. He can say "I can't
because my parents will test me."
Answer:
It's not even like this in California! Random drug testing is done through a
lab and does need to be ordered by a doctor. You simply take your teen to the
lab and have him submit the urine needed. The test results are sent to the
doctor's office and you can request a copy of the results.
If he is willing to do this, then do it. Ask your doctor to order the test, a ~full
spectrum~ test that will show positive-negative AND detectable levels of
positives of many common drugs used by teens (not just marijuana). My
suggestion is that you ask for 3-4 tests ordered and that your son be taken
unannounced to the lab. If possible, have his father take him so that he can
accompany your son into the bathroom and with the stall door open while his
father is standing behind him, to give the sample. The info to fake, modify a
urine sample so that it comes out negative ~is~ available and your son is
probably aware of it. If not, handle the bottle sample when he returns. It
should a) be very warm, b) upon shaking - not foam incessantly and settle
quickly, c) shouldn't smell like anything but urine, and d) should not be
excessively light in color. If you test him now and over the next several
months, the THC in marijuana should show a decline. The first test is
baseline. If it increases, he's still using.
