Parents

Drug testing your child is a major decision and a very significant step that should not be considered lightly. Testing should not be contemplated without having first decided the consequences of a positive or negative result. Remember that a test at home, using a device from any manufacturer or supplier, is just a screening test and should be confirmed by professionals at a laboratory. Your local GP might be willing to assist.

DrugWipe is used around the globe in many guises, from police screening of drug drivers through to the detection of smugglers and dealers. In the UK, DrugWipe has also been used since the late 1990’s in many large corporations for health and safety screening and in a significant number of private schools as part of the drugs education policy. In all cases, testing is done after introduction of a policy and all positives are confirmed at the laboratory unless admission of consumption is received immediately on the result of the test.

DrugWipe can be used on the person by performing a very simple, quick and, importantly, non-intrusive sampling procedure. However, there is a choice of a wipe on the skin to look back for consumption over several days, or a 5 second swab in the mouth to show if drugs have been consumed in the past few hours.

DrugWipe can be used to screen for the presence of invisible residues or traces of illegal substances. Remember that testing items such as mobile phone or computer keyboard for the presence of a trace of drug does not prove guilt. The same is true for testing the dust in the bottom of trouser pockets or the inside of suspicious containers. However, a positive to this general screening can be taken as a precursor to screening a particular child.

It is imperative that you know what you will do with a result that is to the benefit and well being of the child.

Deciding to test a child and getting it wrong can cause severe trust problems and many other issues. Testing a child and finding positives can lead to finding professional advice, support and education to the benefit of both the child and the parents.

The first port of call for information should be the Home Office, Talk to Frank help line or web site or one of the other numerous national and local agencies.