Home Drug Screening - A Parent's Ally in the War on Drugs

Drugs have had a devastating effect on America's youth over the years, with no end in sight. Recent developments in cognitive neuroscience have illustrated why adolescents are at significant risk for drug abuse. The intent of this study, was to examine the effects of home drug-test kits as a deterrent to adolescent drug use. Seventh grade students and parents from two middle schools in a school district in Phoenix, Arizona, participated in the 2007 study. A pretest was administered to students and parents prior to the six-month intervention period, and a posttest was given following the intervention to assess changes in attitudes, behaviors, and communication about the dangers of drugs. Student and parent focus group sessions were conducted to learn more about student and parent perceptions of drug-test kits as a deterrent to adolescent drug use. The results of this study provide evidence that home drug-test kits can empower parents and serve as a deterrent to adolescent drug use. Parents believed the drug-test kit helped initiate meaningful conversations with their children about the dangers of drugs and students viewed the drug-test kit as a deterrent to their own drug use.