Question by Cassie: Is there PA law that allows parents to force their minor child (15) into drug rehab?
Its actually for my child. I called a few treatment centers and they said they won’t take her. I find it appalling a parent wouldn’t have this right over their child!
Best answer:
Answer by Lynn
If your parents have custody of you, then yes, they can require you to go to drug rehab, or military school, or boarding school, as long as the facility is itself legal and licensed.
ETA: The facilities you’re contacting may not want to take anyone, minor or not, who has to be forced into rehab. It’s not a question of law but the choice of the facility about who they treat.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
#1 by KevinM on September 6, 2010 - 11:50 am
Yeah. It’s called the “you’re a minor” law. They can do whatever they want with you until you declare yourself emancipated. Hey – why don’t you do that! Since they want to send you to drug rehab, clearly they don’t understand. You’d be much better off on your own.
#2 by Lexie on September 6, 2010 - 12:06 pm
Yes. As long as you are a minor, your parents can force you into rehab or any other medical treatment that might be necessary.
* Edit– OK, I see what you’re asking now. As to your child, yes, you can force that child to go to treatment. You can’t force the rehab to take a child if they don’t want to. I assume their stance is based upon their belief that the treatment won’t do any good if the child is unwilling. You can’t make them change that. Keep calling around–I’m pretty sure there are places that will take an unwilling minor. I’ll let you know if I find any.*
#3 by Morgan R on September 6, 2010 - 12:49 pm
Actually , you meant to ask if there was law prohibiting parents from forcing a child into rehab.
The laws assumes that a parent can make all decisions, medical , schooling, etc for a child.
Yes, parents and PA (and where else ) can commit a child to rehab, boarding school, mental institutions, have their tonsils taken out, keep them getting a tatoo, or staying out all night, etc.
Until they are 18 or emancipated, a parent has control over a child unless a court takes custody of the child.
EDIT: I also see now what your dilemma is. She refuses to cooperate. Well, you have two alternatives then. Find a facility that specializes in troubled teens (drugs aren’t her only problem) usually those are Chistian based and quite strict ( the one down the road from e has razor wire around it) OR you can wait until she is arrested and goes through withdrawal etc in jail ( juvvy jail) which is horrific most places.
You are on a mission to save her life, drugs will kill her, but that is not the cause of her problems. The REASON she is self destructive and doesn’t like this reality is what needs addressing as much as her addiction.
If you email me I will email you the name of the “school” near me. Colorado and Missouri have more than their share of “addicted troubled teen schools”. If you have insurance, I know Blur Crooss has special programs for dependents with the problems your are facing.
Be strong. Someday she will thank you.
#4 by pragmatism_rules on September 6, 2010 - 1:47 pm
To answer your question specifically, as a parent you have nearly total control of your child until the child turns 18 (age of majority in your state). And yes, you can put them into drug rehab against their will if they have a drug problem and it is in their best interest (make sure the facility is licenced and the licence is current!).
The problem is that some facilities are more “liberal” in their approach and they may not accept a child who has to be foribly treated. And you can’t just go out and pick a facility…you have to research them all to find out the best one for your child! Personally, I think what you should be looking for is a more “authoritarian” facility…less on the touchy-feely and more on the “you do as I say” approach. And of course, one that supports parental authority/rights.
Try Utah as it is very much a “parental rights” state. Or you could try a one of the states in the Bible Belt….like Texas, Alabama, Georgia. Mississippi is a good one as the age of majority there is 21. There can be a lot of “physical correction” in the Bible Belt so be careful and get references AND before you do anything, check them out with their state boards as there have been some less than reputable agencies out there.
Good luck!