Help - what do street drugs smell like?

[Brian Kent]

That addresses the fact that he doesn't even know if a family member is using. Thank you.

[David Larsen]

There is a whole new crop of synthetic marijuana type products on the market that are pretty popular with the younger generation. Many are legal, but states are doing what they can to try to get on top of it and add them to controlled substance lists. Many of these products could have an odd smell to them that doesn't necessarily smell like marijuana or tobacco. There is also another group of substances that are in the "bath salt" group. They label them "not for human consumption" but they are being used for just that.

Educate yourself by doing a search for either bath salts or synthetic marijuana. This might point you in a better direction.

Also, the guy that came to see you needs to be alert to behavior and physical changes in the suspected users. That might clue him in more.

[robert raess]

you could have the ash tested or if a pipe was found or aluminum foil..possible they could have a trace amt. revealed in a test.Local labs test for mold,asbestos,radium,water purity etc;they should be able to test residues and if not where to point you.

[Moses Yoder]

If you force them to take a drug test, which is your right as a parent if they are under 18, and they haven't been using, they soon will be. By forcing them to take a drug test you say loud and clear "I don't trust you to make your own decisions." In my opinion it would be better to sit down with them and talk to them about it, but the fact that the parent has already spoken to someone else about it before talking to their own children about it makes it look like there is some sort of communication problem.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Moses,

I would suggest that a parent asking their kid to take a drug test is rather stating they care enough about their child to take a chance on upsetting them. A parents responsibility is to be a parent first and a friend second, if possible.

Beyond that I would suggest that being a parent is the job for which all of us had the least amount of training and as a result have to play it by ear. I am the oldest of 6 kids and it amazed me how differently my sibblings got treated. I am sure my mother and father felt they learned some lessons with me and as a result modified their approach with my sisters and brother. I don't see this father asking for advice as demonstrating a family communication problem but rather a concerned parent seeking other parents' advice, recommendations and opinions before making a decision, taking action and possibly making a mistake. Communication problem? I don't think so.

[Brian Kent]

I have passed on your advice to the dad and won't comment any further about his specifics.

I welcome the continued discussion because parents and kids and protection from drugs is very important, and my responses will now be general ones, no longer related to this specific case.

Thanks, friends.