Drugs are probably one of a parent's worst nightmares. Nowadays drugs are available easily and young people can buy them in the street, from their friends, or even at school. Many of them are lethal chemical substances and other are contaminated with anything from baby talc powder to rat poison and industrial chemicals.

Most parents are aware of what drugs are, but they do not have the expertise to identify them. That is if they find them in the first place.

Most teenagers start taking less dangerous drugs, usually smoking cannabis or pills like ecstasy and "legal highs" before moving to more dangerous like cocaine, LSD and  heroin.

Parents often see a change in the behaviour of their children but they tend to explain it as changing mood associated with their age. Some other parents are in complete denial, even when the proof is facing them. Some parents however have no means to identify drugs and drug related behaviour.

The truth is that teenagers nowadays are more likely to know more things about drugs then their parents.

If you are suspecting your child is using drugs then you need professional help. You need to identify the type of drugs and the risk they pause, and then consult your GP or a psychologist.

Strathclyde Forensics can offer you discreet drug testing at home, and in most instances we can identify the drug in question within a few minutes. This is called a presumptive test, and is a fast reliable way to identify controlled substances.

If you are suspicious of the drug you found, we can confirm if it is the right one.

In some cases (i.e. cocaine) we can identify the presence of the drug by examining and testing surfaces (i.e. a desk, clothes, gloves)

If the substance is not found but you suspect your underage child has been taking drugs, then you can sign a release form, consenting in us testing a urine sample.

If your child is legally an adult, then they must consent for any kind of testing of bodily fluids.