10 - Detecting Drug Use and What to Do about It

Summary

• Detecting drug use in adolescents can be difficult, as puberty can mimic many of the physical and emotional warning signs of drug use.

• It is important to be vigilant, but don’t suggest your child is using drugs unless you have good reason to think so.

• If you notice signs suggesting drug consumption, use them as a way to open a conversation about your concerns.

  If your child is using psychoactive drugs

• Talk to your partner, close friends or family

• Act as a team

• Talk to others

• Consider drug testing

• Seek professional help if the situation is deteriorating

• Drug testing can be helpful, but it is not a treatment or a substitute for talking with your child.

• Most drug tests will only detect commonly used drugs such as cocaine and cannabis. Tests for novel psychoactive substances are not routinely available. Talk to the manufacturer if you want to test for newer drugs.

• No drug test is 100% accurate. Repeating the drug test reduces the risk of false results.

• There are many ways to cheat a drug test. The only way to be sure of the source of a sample is to be present while it’s taken.

• Advanced laboratory drug analysis is available at some larger music festival for people who choose to use them with drug checking services now expanding to other settings.