Parent Resources

Every day, approximately 4,700 American youth under age 18 try marijuana for the first time. By the time they finish eighth grade, approximately 50 percent of adolescents have had at least one drink and more than 20 percent report having been “drunk”.

Despite these statistics, one thing remains true:

Parents are the most important influence in a teen’s decision about drug use.

You can and do make a difference. If you suspect or know that your child is using drugs, take action now because the longer you wait the harder it will be to deal with your child’s drug use.

What Should I Look For? Signs and Symptoms

· negative changes in schoolwork, missing school or declining grades

· increased secrecy about possessions or activities

· use of incense, room deodorant or perfume to hide smoke or chemical odors

· subtle changes in conversations with friends

· new friends

· change in clothing choices, new fascination with clothes that highlight drug use

· increase in borrowing money

· evidence of drug paraphernalia such as pipes, rolling papers

· evidence of inhaling products and accessories such as hairspray, nail polish, correction fluid, paper bags and rags, common household products

· bottles of eyedrops, which may be used to mask bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils

· new use of mouthwash or breath mints to cover the smell of alcohol

· missing prescription drugs, especially narcotics and mood stabilizers

What Do I Do and When?

First, learn as much as you can. Next, sit down and talk with your child when all of you are calm and have plenty of time. Tell your child what you see and how you feel about it. Explain exactly how their behavior or appearance has changed and why that worries you.

You’re not helping your child if you make excuses when you know your child misses school or family functions because of “not feeling well”, especially when you suspect something else is at play.

Set clear ground rules in your family about drug and alcohol use. Let your kids know that you will enforce the rules.

Contact your school’s Chemical Health Consultant, counselor, social worker, or administrator. Talk with you family doctor about the issue. Contact your local chapter of Al-Anon.

Suggestion to Keep in Mind When You Talk with Your Child

Tell your son or daughter you LOVE him/her and that you are worried that he/she might be using drugs or alcohol.

Say that you KNOW that drugs may seem like the thing to do, but doing drugs can have serious consequences.

It makes you FEEL worried and concerned about them when they do drugs.

You are there to LISTEN to them.

You WANT them to be a part of the solution.

What you will do to HELP them.

For further information, view the entire “Brief Guide to Action for Parents” pamphlet.

For science-based facts about how drugs affect the brain and body, go to www.teens.drugabuse.gov.

For information about underage drinking and alcohol problems, go to www.thecoolspot.gov.

Parents, The Anti-Drug

SAMHSA for Families

Minnesota Al-Anon/Alateen

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