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Parents: What to Do if Your Child Tests Positive for Drugs
Don't panic. Don't get mad. Get serious.
Help your child stop drug use. Stay calm. Be firm.
Most of the time, drug tests will come back negative. If however, positive test results are confirmed, here are some tips to consider:
- Let your child know that your commitment to him or her being drug-free is based on your love and respect for your child.
- Talk with your child about his or her drug use. Let your child know your expectations that he or she stay drug-free.
- Do not discipline your child when you are angry or upset.
- Ask for help and be open to advice. Raising a drug-free child is a long-term project that will not respond to short-term solutions.
- Test your child again frequently in the future letting your child know that the drug-free standard will be enforced by drug tests.
- Support drug testing at your school. Talk with the counselors at your school and get their ideas for how to handle your family problem.
- Contact other parents who have faced similar problems and learn from their experiences.
- Get professional help if the drug use persists.
Example: Go to Al Anon meetings and take your child to Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
How? Two options are our online chat forum at:
https://preventionnotpunishment.org/messboardedureg.html or,
Parents. The Anti-drug website:
http://www.theantidrug.com/community.
 PDF "Keeping your kids Drug-free: A How-to Guide for Parents and Guardians"
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IF YOU NEED ADVICE:
http://www.theantidrug.com/ei/advice_parents.asp This link offers sound advice on what to do if you suspect that your kid is using illegal drugs.
- If you decide to get professional help, ask for referrals to local counselors and drug abuse treatment programs. Choose a good program and be compliant with the recommendations. Take advantage of their expertise and follow their advice.
One program to consider is Al-Anon Family Groups:
Al Anon is a 12-step program modeled on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). It is for friends and family of people who have problems with alcohol and other drugs.
How? Ask your school counselor for the local Al-Anon meetings, go online to: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org, or use the telephone directory to find a local phone number. Most meetings will have a time and place already set up.
What should I do? Go to a few meetings. The meetings are free. They typically last about an hour. Introduce yourself as a newcomer and ask for help understanding and using Al Anon. Experts will help you with your problem and find whatever help your family needs. They have worked with all of the service providers in your area and they will have some good ideas about who can best help you.
Other treatment groups are listed under Resources.
Treatment Programs
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Program
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Description
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Address
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| Cocaine Anonymous |
Mutual-aid organization of men and women helping themselves and others achieve recovery from cocaine addiction. |
http://www.ca.org |
| Drugs Anonymous |
National organization for those recovering from chemical addiction. |
PO Box 473, Ansonia Station
New York, NY 10023
Phone (212) 874 - 0700 |
| Families Anonymous |
Organization of family and friends of individuals with substance abuse or behavioral problems. |
Phone: 1-800-736-9805 |
| JACS (Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons and Significant Others) Foundation |
For alcoholic and chemically dependent Jews, families, and communities. |
426 W. 58th Street
New York, NY 10019
Phone (212) 473 - 4197 |
| NAR-ANON |
Organization based on the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Founded in 1967 for family and friends of drug addicts. |
PO Box 2562
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274-0119
Phone: (310) 547-5800 |
| Narcotics Anonymous |
Community meetings of men, women and young people to support one another in recovery from drug addiction. |
http://www.na.org |
| Pill Addicts Anonymous |
Organization for recovery from addiction to prescribed and over-the-counter mood-changing pills and drugs. |
PO Box 278
Reading, PA 10603
Phone: (215) 372 - 1128 |
| Tough Love International |
Mutual-aid group for parents, children, and communities to support parents in taking a stand to help adolescent children take responsibility for their own behavior. |
PO Box 1069
Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone: 1-800-333-1069 |
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Online guides and resources for parents and guardians, looking for support, and discussing drugs with your kids
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| National PTA |
Drugs and Alcohol: Expert Advice on Discussing Drugs (www.pta.org/parentinvolvement/drugalcohol/index.asp) |
| Teens and Alcohol: Preventing that Lethal Combination (www.pta.org/parentinvolvement/helpchild/oc_teensalcohol.asp) |
| Courage to Speak Foundation |
Parents Support Groups and activities (Norwalk, CT) and Parents Guide ‚ signs that your kid is on drugs (www.couragetospeak.org). |
| Moms Tell |
Parents Guide (www.momstell.com/ParentsGuide.htm). |
| Dads for Kids |
In addition to parents' guide, this site also has a guide and tips for athletic coaches as well (www.dadsforkids.org). |
| Parents.The Anti-drug |
Contains a message board for parents whose kids are on drugs (www.theantidrug.com/community/). |
| Keeping Your Kids Drug-Free: A How-to Guide for Parents and Guardians (www.theantidrug.com/advice/index.asp) |
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