Unlike our teen children, few parents will immediately recognize the number “420” (pronounced “four-twenty”) as drug culture code for “April 20,” the annual Pot-Smokers’ Holiday.  But this self-proclaimed “holiday” has become an underground tradition within the drug culture, and has developed quite a following over the years.  There are numerous stories purporting to explain the origin of this dubious holiday.  One, for example, says that “420” goes back to the 1960s when a group of California teens developed a habit of getting together every day to smoke pot, shortly after school at “4:20” P.M.  “4:20” then became code for “smoking pot” and evolved from time to date and into an annual “holiday.”

But whatever, the true origin, April 20th is a time when all of us parents ought to be especially vigilant in monitoring our teens and looking out for any signs of potential drug use.

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1. Listen For Slang and Lookout For Paraphernalia.  If you hear your teens using the number “420” is any form of conversation or communication – beware!  Listen up for other pot related terms like, bud(s), herb(s), blunt, bake, Mary Jane, ganja, etcetera.  Likewise, keep a close eye out for pot related paraphernalia, like makeshift bongs and pot pipes, as well as rolling papers, butane lighters, and eye drops.
2. Know Where Your Teen Is and Who They’re With.  Does your teen have any special plans for April 20th?  If they will be out of the house, will they be at a supervised location?  Teens often try to get together with friends to “celebrate” the “holiday.”  Also, beware of teens sneaking out of the house in the middle of the night to go “celebrate” with friends. 
3. Pay Careful Attention To Your Teen’s Appearance and Behavior.  Bloodshot eyes and the distinctive odor are the most conspicuous telltales.  Likewise, watch out for eye drops (used to cover up the bloodshot eyes) and deodorant (used to cover up the odor).  Beware if your teen seems to be acting secretive, and watch for changes in behavior, such as sleeping more than usual (which might indicate a hangover and/or sneaking out in the middle of the night).
4. Keep your guard up for some time after April 20th.  Teens who are thwarted in their initial attempts to “celebrate” on the 20th, will often arrange alternative plans to make-up the holiday on another day.

Why not take advantage of this dubious “holiday” to raise our awareness and to take constructive precautions to protect our teens?  Hopefully, we’ve all already had clear and consistent discussions with our teens about the dangers of drug and alcohol use.  Still, it wouldn’t hurt to take this occasion to remind them once again. 

But, alas, all too often warnings and watchfulness just aren’t enough.  For most of us, it’s hard to believe that our little angels would ever engage in such foolish and risky behavior . . . but it happens to the best of kids in the best of families.  Drugs are out there.  They’re pervasive.  And no child, no family is immune.  All manner of children get drawn into drugs for all kinds of reasons.  And it’s harder than you might think to know whether your own child has succumbed to the pernicious temptation.  How would you know?  Truth is the first casualty of drug use – users immediately learn to lie.  And don’t forget how smart our kids are.  If they want to conceal drug use, they’ll likely get away with it . . . until it starts producing significantly negative effects.  But by then, it’s more than likely that they’ve already fallen into the frightful grip of dependency.

Wouldn’t we rather be safe than sorry?  So, why not take the proactive precaution of occasionally and randomly testing our teens?  Testing is obviously a decision that parents must decide for themselves, but CASHY recommends that you give it serious consideration.  Some argue that drug or alcohol testing is a violation of trust and damages the parent/child relationship.  But is it really?  We check their report cards regularly.  Is this a violation of trust?  Or is it simply exercising our parental responsibilities to verify that our children remain on the path to lifelong success?  Why is substance testing to ensure they remain on the path to a successful and healthy life any different?  If our teens have nothing to hide, testing is likely to be a non-issue.  On the other hand, if they do have something to hide, testing may well stir up tension, but in this case, isn't it better to confront the problem early, rather than remaining in the dark while problems grow?

The best bet is to start early, when you're unlikely to have a conflict, and when you can help prevent a problem from ever developing.  Many drug and alcohol experts believe that random drug testing is one of the most valuable tools available for keeping our children safe and substance free.  It helps detect a problem early-on, if drug use is already established, while hopefully, if they haven't used, just knowing they’re “subject to testing” could helps teens resist the inevitable pressures and temptations down the road. 

One local family reported interesting results when they implemented a family policy of random testing once each child turned 13 years old.  Their 13 year old's response was a typical, "whatever."  Then, after the 13 year old passed the test, she was taken out for a Baskin-Robins treat to celebrate . . . to which the 12 year old in the family replied, "What!  She gets ice cream just for peeing in a cup!?  I'm almost 13, why can't I pee in the stinkin' cup too?!"

If you have ever had the least suspicion that your child may have been tempted by drugs, CASHY recommends that you take this opportunity to Test Your Teen!  And even if you have no suspicion, why not give them an easy excuse to say, "Sorry, I can't. My parents test.” 

Finally, if you do decide to test, please educate yourself on the ins and outs of the process before you begin.  These tests are highly accurate when they are used properly, but there are exceptions to be aware of.  For example, there are a variety of methods savy teens might use to try and cheat the test, which parents should be aware of.  And, in some cases the tests can produce false positives, so positive results should be followed up with a second test by a certified laboratory for verification.  Also, it's best to think through how you would respond to a potentially positive test result beforehand.  

Urine Drug Tests:  There are two basic types of home use drug tests, urine tests and hair tests.  Urine drug tests are easy to use at home and are available at any local drug store.  Home drug tests can also be purchased online, often at better rates.  With urine tests, be aware that drugs are eliminated from the body at varying rates, but for most, the test must be done within 1-3 days of drug use.  Your best bet is to purchase a test in advance and have it available as the need arises.  Also, be careful to ensure that the sample cannot be tampered with, and be aware that while these tests are highly accurate, in some instances they can produce false positive results.  Any questionable result should be followed up with testing by a certifed laboratory.  Seek professional assistance to further evaluate questionable results.

Urine Drug Tests are widely available. Test My Teen  offers a free trial drug test, an $18.99 value, for the $6.95 cost of shipping and handling.   Drug Test Your Teen  also sells drug tests online.

Hair Drug Tests:  Perhaps an even better option is the hair drug test.  The hair test has some drawbacks.  It costs a bit more, it must be ordered online, and it takes about a week to get results.  But it also has two compelling advantages.  Whereas the urine test reveals whether or not the subject has used the specified drugs within the past few days, the hair test reveals whether or not the subject has used drugs within the past few months (excluding the past two weeks).  Hair samples are also much more difficult to tamper with, but be aware that evidence of drug use will not show up in a hair sample until approximately two weeks after use.  Chemical traces are deposited at the root, day by day, and take time to grow out.