Narcologist Called Mandatory Drug Screening Of Teenagers Ineffective

Marat Saraev, Candidate of Medical Sciences, head of the expert center for addiction "Independent View", in an interview with the radio station "Moscow Govorit" said that it is often difficult to identify drug addicts among children using tests. “Necessity for invention is cunning, many compatriots can go to it to hide the use. Unfortunately, parents can help them in this. Today, the chemical and toxicological capabilities of the laboratory are not strong enough to identify modern narcotic substances that are popular among young people. If a child uses it systematically, then he is not recognized. We will not be able to establish with the help of laboratory tests that he had episodic use. " The narcologist expressed concern that, due to the low detection rate, doctors may begin to register children with other problems as dependent children. “Make the peasant pray, he will break his forehead. I am afraid that in pursuit of statistics, the problem will be exaggerated due to the new law. Another story to monitor local officials, why you have a low detection rate. They will begin to enroll children with deviant behavior and children with tobacco addiction as addicted children. I have worked in all these areas, methods of control and strict identification are not always justified here. However, they have a right to life. Perhaps, in case of an emergency, it is necessary to enter it for a while. " The best method of combating drug addiction among children is early prevention, Saraev emphasized. “The most effective way to prevent teenagers from using drugs is primary prevention. It is necessary to strengthen measures, from kindergartens to students, to be introduced into the compulsory schedule. For psychologists to explain what addiction is, while not arousing interest [to psychotropics - approx. GM]. Parents, learning that children use drugs, turn to anonymous specialists and try to hide everything from school or university, from friends. Preventive work should be carried out with parents as well”. Earlier, Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Irina Yarovaya proposed introducing a mandatory test of adolescents for drug addiction. In her opinion, such a measure will allow "to act together with the family in a more modern and timely manner."