Do they drug test family members before placing with them?

Temporary Mom: I could have written the same exact opinion on Marijuana. I do not use it, but should it be illegal? no. Its a joke here in CA. People get medical marijuana cards for hangnails here. Most of these folks just like to smoke weed. Its rediculous!

One of my neighbors is in the last stage of breast cancer. It's in all of her bones, her lungs, and we suspect in her brain. Medical marijuana has been a godsend for her. I know several other community members who use marijuana for medicinal purposes, and the drug works well in managing their severe chronic pain. The people I know who use it legitimately all eat it in baked goods, by the way...none of them smoke it. I think a lot of adults in our country smoke pot, but don't have the guts or integrity to admit it. The one thing that irks me, though, is when the relatives of an addict are automatically assumed to drug-addled weirdos. My brother got strung out on drugs in the 1990s, and I took legal guardianship of his children until he and his wife got their acts together. I was totally clean by the way and hadn't used any type of drug in over 20 years at that point. Still, it was embarrassing when I'd get asked by strangers if I was related to my brother (we share an unusual surname.) One day I was checking books out at the library and the librarian asked me if I was related to "so-and-so." I looked at her and asked her why she wanted to know...and then I asked her what my brother had done now.

I don't do drugs. I never have done drugs. I never WILL do drugs. At social events where drinking is the norm, I've learned to carry at least a partly full glass, and pretend to drink. That way people don't ask why I"m not drinking. Or I order a no-alcohol version of a drink. I am an honest person. When I told the state that drugs aren't an issue with me, it's time for them to believe me. I've done nothing wrong, I don't deserve to be treated as tho I might be doing something wrong, or might be lying. When it was suggested that in my state FPs would start having to be drug-tested monthly, I wrote someone in position of relative influence, and said I thought it was a good idea... if they wanted probably 20-30-50% of the FPs they have to quit at the same time. This "volunteer" "job" already has far too many things about it that are demeaning. That push disrespect at FPs. We're already treated like glorified babysitters. We have responsibility but no authority. Pay is late, programs to help the children are late or never come through, foster children are assigned beginning (translate: unqualified) counselors, our opinions are laughed at and not brought to the table... and JMO, if they add "pee test monthly" at some lab... I think LOTS of FPs will find it to be the final straw. IF and only IF a person has *ever* been in trouble over drugs, then it might be reasonable to test for them. Until then, leave the rest of us, who're living normal, drug-free lives, alone. I'll let you know if I get an opinion about this... laughing at self. But really, willy-nilly drug-testing is ridiculous, pointless, demeaning, and a waste of resources. (Some of which might go to buy shoes for foster and at-risk children.)

Alys, I don't agree with mandatory drug testing of anybody, much less foster parents. I have a chemistry degree, and I know for a fact how often the drug tests come back with a false positive. They'll also come back positive if you've been around anybody who's smoking pot.I was a foster kid when I was a teenager...and my foster mother was a serious drunk. She passed out on the couch every single night after drinking two bottles of Cold Duck. She neglected her own kids, and I won't even go into how I was neglected. I don't know what the answer is...except I do wish that caseworkers would listen to kids who tell them about drunken or stoned FPs.Alcohol is legal in this country, and it causes more morbidity and mortality than all other drugs combined. I wonder if and when the morality police will start testing citizens for alcohol usage. Because from what I've witnessed, alcoholism does just as much emotional damage to children that illegal substances and prescription narcotics do.

Kinda off topic about the testing part but I always think the marijuana topic is so strange. If one does have a medical card and it is legal for them to be smoking it then yup, its legal for them to smoke it while having kids. Just like it is legal to drink and have your kids. And do prescription pain killers for chronic pain issues and still have your kids. As long as they are providing proper care for their child or providing an alternate care giver for when they are incapacitated (sleeping at grandparents when you go for a night out ect) then we really have nothing to complain about. I know parents who drink weekend nights. They have parties and picnics at their house and after the kids are in bed they let loose a little. Its weird because I feel like if CPS showed up at one of those moments they would have cause to take the kids because who is in control in the case of an emergency or even if a child were to wake up and need something? Just kinda thinking out lout here and wondering where most people think the line is drawn.

I actually think it would be a good idea for my father who has terminal lung cancer and is having trouble keeping up his weight to use medical marijuana. I think it would help him. I have a brother-in-law who has problems with the pressure in his eyes. Marijuana would do him good. Neither man will get a prescription because they are in recovery and are too nervous to. My father won't even use his Norco for his tremendous pain. I have considered baking him some brownies...I won't because I'm going to respect his wishes. My problem with the medical marijuana is all the people I know who have a card for frivolous reasons. We should legalize it, it is hypocritical how things are being done now. I know many young people who have cards. They are NOT ill. I don't agree with drug testing all foster parents, just saying that if relative placements are tested, everyone should be tested. I guess I get a little sensitive reading peoples opinions on "relatives" "coming out of the woodwork" "going back to the same environment" etc, etc, etc. I am NOT doing this for the money. I am NOT an addict, I am NOT going to give the kids back to their parents. My home and family are very well respected in our community. Just because some relatives of foster kids are inappropriate to send the kids to does not mean automatically all of us are.

My first foster baby was a one month old who was removed from her kinship placement because of marijuana use. The CW said "We can't hold parents to one standard and then the relatives to another". Biomom had a drug habit. So, the baby was placed with me. I have no idea how the cw knew the kinship parents (who were friends of biomom) were using drugs. These kinship folks were allowed to visit after the baby was removed until biomom said she didn't want them around the baby (about 1 month later). From the way they talked, I think kinship parents thought they were getting baby back. And on baby's medical records, kinship mom listed herself as adoptive mother.

I agree. And it seems that more kids are left in homes with alcoholics as if it's not as big of a deal.

As a New Yorker, I'm shocked at the article about kids being removed from homes where bio parents had pot. In MAPP class, the trainer said if there was no neglect, drug or alcohol use by themselves wouldn't lead to a kid being removed.