Both positions have merit. In the end, it comes down to what you as a parent choose is right for your family.

The truth is that kids dont always tell their parents what they need to know. Sometimes kids don't know when they're being led down a risky pathway. It's easy for a kid to get caught up in a situation and not know how to get out of it or how to tell their parents about it. In reality, parents are responsible for their child's actions and are the first to be held responsible when a child does something unethical. You might hear, "Where were the parents when all this was going on?" or "Why didnt they do something before it got to this point?" Where does a parent draw the line between wanting to safeguard, help and educate their child and respecting the childs wish for privacy?

When a parent suspects that the teen is dabbling in drugs, that parent needs to first talk about the issue with their child, expressing concerns and the desire to help. This technique will keep the focal point on the issue of drug use and convey to the child that rather than being judged or punished, the parent will lend a helping hand.

There are exceptions to this open communication. Privacy and parenting is a complicated issue. Trust between a teen and a parent is really, really essential. Work to preserve that trust whenever possible, except when the teen might be a danger to himself or to someone else. The reasons young people take drugs are often comparable to the reasons adults drink and smoke. Theyre associated with relaxing with friends, listening to music or watching a video. In addition, teenagers like to experiment: some will try drugs just because they are curious and want to find out what the effects are.

They may experiment with a range of drugs for a short time and then stop. They havent become addicted or dependent, nor have they suffered any lasting effects. The pressure of peers is enormous, so it may be easier for teenagers to have a go than to say no and look uncool. Teenagers like to rebel and kick out against parents rules.

Independence is part of growing up. Others want the excitement risk-taking brings. Teenagers like to have a good time and may get pleasure from the effects that drugs bring. Many illegal drugs are as cheap as or cheaper than alcohol. Random drug testing has not been confirmed to discourage drug use. Urine testing, the most general and inexpensive form of drug testing, is invasive and alienating.

The collection of a specimen is an embarrassing infringement of privacy, especially uncomfortable for an adolescent. Testing is inefficient when it comes to detecting drug problems. Testing detects only a small fraction of users and misses too many who might be in trouble. The vast majority of drug tests do not test for alcohol.

The concept that students need drug testing to help them say "no," is questionable.

Listen to drug-abuse professionals who know that recognition of problems requires careful attention to signs such as absence from school, inconsistent behavior and falling grades. Study the many alternatives, pitfalls and repercussions to random drug testing.

There simply is no "silver bullet."