HOW CAN I TELL IF MY CHILD IS DOING DRUGS?
While it is difficult to distinguish typical adolescent behavior from drug-induced behavior, parents should
consider possible drug use if they notice several of these changes in their child:
1. Changes in Physical Appearance
- Lack of personal cleanliness, messy appearance
Red eyes and frequent use of eye drops
- Runny nose, congestion, coughing
- Wearing dark glasses when not necessary
- Pale face, circles under eyes
2. Changes in Eating and Sleeping Habits
- Difficulty falling asleep, insomnia
- Inappropriate napping
- Significant weight loss or gain
- Poor appetite
- sudden appetite (especially for sweets
3. Changes in Behavior and Personality
- Hostility, defiance of rules
- Depression, "I don't care" attitude
- ack of responsibility: not doing chores, homework;
- forgetting family occasions
- Blaming, lying, making excuses
- Loss of memory, shortened attention span, disordered thought patterns
- Withdrawal from family, isolation, secretiveness
4. Changes in School or Job Performance
- Lowered grades, neglected homework
- Frequent tardiness and absenteeism
- Falling asleep in class
- Discipline problems
- Quitting or getting fired from job
- Quitting or getting fired from job
5. Physical Evidence of Drug Use
- Liquor missing or watered down
- Fake ID
- Mouth wash, breath sprays
- Visine or other eye drops
- Roach clips, rolling papers
- Bongs, pipes and small screens
- Baggies containing dried leaves, seeds
- "stash cans", often disguised as cola or beer cans
- Burning incense, room deodorizers
- Prescription medication disappearing
- Any drugs or drug paraphernalia you find on your child or in your home are indications of drug use, even if he or she insists they "belong to a friend."
6. Changes in Friends and Interests
- New or different friends, especially ones who use drugs
- Friends rarely introduced and seldom come to the house
- More time spent in room or away from home
- Secrecy about actions and possessions
- obbies, sports or extra-curricular activities are given up; everything is "boring"
- Stays out past curfew
7. Positive Attitudes Towards Drugs and Alcohol
- Pro-drug messages on posters of clothing
- Strong defense of the occasional use of drugs by peers, think adults "hassle" kids
- Easily angered when confronted about chemical use
- Concern expressed by others over his/her use of alcohol or other drugs