Some parents employ drug-sniffing dogs to see if their child is using drugs

By Staff Writer

Parents in Maryland are now able to hire drug-sniffing dogs in order to check if their teenagers are using illegal substances.

According to the Christian Broadcast Network, companies such as Dogs Finding Drugs are offering their services for concerned guardians. To be accepted into one of the programs, a dog must be able to sniff out drugs 19 out of 20 times. Most of the canines were once used by law enforcement agencies.

The news provider reports that many parents feel that it is an effective way to keep their teens drug-free, while some teenagers believe it is an invasion of privacy. Most of the organizations have policies against confiscating anything in a home, nor will they contact the police if illegal substances are found. The drug-sniffing service can cost up to $200 per hour.

An official with the National Institute on Drug Abuse says parents should talk to their teens about potential drug problems rather than hiring a dog to sniff around their personal items.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy reports that mental health problems, including depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal and other psychosocial dysfunctions, are frequently linked to substance abuse among adolescents.