Each month, iParenting.com spotlights a teen who inspires and moves us, who embodies the qualities that we all admire in a person, a friend, and a son or a daughter. Above all, the Teen of the Month is dedicated to making a positive mark on the planet. Rich or poor, famous or not, the Teen of the Month shines as an example of what today's teens have to offer.

August's Teens of the Month is Linzy Hildreth, entrepreneur.

If you asked most teens to describe themselves, you'd hear things like “outgoing,” “cool,” “nice” and “attractive.” But ask 18-year-old Linzy Hildreth, and the first words you'll hear are “a narc.” A narc? Yep, and she's proud of it!

Since the age of 12, Linzy's complied to her mother's requests to stick out her tongue or fill up a cup during a bathroom break. Of her mom's first drug test, she says, "I thought it was stupid, because I'm not doing drugs." But Linzy quickly got over that thought. Not only did she get used to the periodic tests, she didn't mind taking them. "I was happy to give her a test, because I'm really not doing drugs, and that's something you can be proud of," she says.

In fact, Linzy got such a rush from seeing the delight on her mom's face when her tests proved she was free of drugs and alcohol, she decided it should be something all teens should do. Prove it!

In October 2003, she created DrugTestYourTeen.com.

Down to Business
Run from her home in Dallas, Texas, DrugTestYourTeen.com supplies parents with inexpensive and easy-to-use home testing kits that can be used to screen for drugs, alcohol and even cigarettes.

According to Linzy, getting things started was rather easy. Her mom, Kim, who's also her partner in the business, had worked 20 years at a lab that produced drug-testing kits, so they knew the ins and outs of the biz. Together, Linzy and Kim got a Web site running, did tons of press releases and interviewed with their local newspaper to get the word out that this is an available option for parents.

Linzy points out that many parents still think it's not an option they need to exercise, because they feel their teen would never do drugs. But never say never, she warns. Linzy knows this from experience.

Living Proof
"I thought she was still playing with dolls," says Linzy of her younger sister, Delaney. But Delaney wasn't playing with dolls. In fact, at the age of 13, she'd started using marijuana and quickly graduated to stronger drugs. "I'm totally overprotective and very controlling," says Linzy of their relationship. That's why she got suspicious. She did a little research, found out where her sister was hanging out to use drugs and dragged her home to be tested.

To make matters worse, around the same time, Linzy was hit with one of the hardest decisions of her life. She found out one of her closest friends was hooked on methamphetamines. She didn't want to rat out her friend and risk losing the friendship, but she knew there was no other choice. So Linzy made the decision that would ultimately end their friendship, but probably saved her friend's life. She told.

Watching her sister and friend destroy themselves with drugs was hard, Linzy says. "It just breaks you down mentally, and you feel bad for the person, [but] there's nothing you can do about it."

Or maybe there is.

Making a Difference
With support from Linzy, family and friends, both Delaney and Linzy's former friend are now clean and sober. Seeing the effects drugs have had on her loved ones, Linzy plans to help prevent other teens from having to go through that, even if it means having their parents spring a drug test on them unexpectedly.

Both Linzy and her mom, Kim, agree that drug tests are a huge deterrent and a good way to combat peer pressure. "It's just one of those things you can't argue with," Linzy says. If a teen thinks there's even the slightest chance he'll be tested for drugs or alcohol, he's going to think twice the next time someone offers him a drink.

According to Linzy, she's happy to make a small difference by preventing just one teen from starting a drug or alcohol habit. But actually, she's doing far more than that. With savvy publicity and marketing, her hard work has paid off. Coming upon its first anniversary, the business is booming and worldwide orders roll in, sometimes from places as far away as France and The Netherlands.

Still, Linzy doesn't take all of the credit. She says her mom and sister have played very important parts in the success of the business. Delaney faces the wrath of her peers by schooling them on the consequences of drugs and isn't embarrassed to leave business cards wherever she and her friends go.

Of Kim, Linzy says she loves their relationship and working together. "We're close," she says. "I can tell her any and everything." But Linzy quickly adds they "do get sick of each other" sometimes, and she's not claiming she's a perfect teen.

High on Life
She may not be a perfect teen, but she comes pretty close. And while she's passionate in her stance against drug and alcohol use, don't think Linzy spends all of her time dabbling in drug-related activities. She does have a life! The home-schooled "hottie" takes acting lessons and recently scored her first gig.

Outside of her studies, her acting and maintaining her business, Linzy keeps herself busy – super busy. "I love to work out, hang out with my friends, watch movies and do pottery," she says. "Just normal things that are fun."

And if that's not enough to fill 24 hours, Linzy also holds down a part-time job. Some may say she's trying to do too much, but Linzy smashes that thought by saying, "I just love everything."

"There's so much to life besides drugs, and people don't seem to know that anymore," she says.

But now, thanks to Linzy, teens will begin to learn that – even if they do have to get busted with one of her drug tests first.

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