<p>Perhaps your friends can tell their friends that they have heard of a major drug problem in the middle school and they want to have their child tested for x, y, and z just so they can sleep better at night and it would be easier if they all had their kids tested so their child wouldn’t feel isolated. If the parents don’t take that hint, they have at least been warned at some level and been made aware of the problem at the school. Maybe your friend would be comfortable simply posing the question, how would we know if our child were using drugs as a way to open up a dialogue. I also think it would be appropriate to ask the school to let parents know there is a drug problem and provide some suggestions to parents about what to do.</p>
<p>I do not think it is a good idea to pass on specific info gained from a child because I would be very worried about the potential repercussions to that child. Some kids in our upscale suburban neighborhood have been beaten up very badly–brass knuckles, etc. Our older son had a friend beaten beyond recognition by drug dealers (separate incident from the brass knuckles). This friend made up a story to his parents about falling into a mosh pit at a rave and getting trampled. </p>
<p>The drugs you have mentioned involve serious dealers at some point in the chain. You have a lot bigger concern than losing a friendship in how this is handled. From a parent’s perspective, I think you need to be proactive, talk to you kids, and not wait/expect to be told anything. When making the decision to pass on info to others, understand that it can be very risky to be identified as a snitch. Drug dealers are not nice people.</p>