Teen Drug Abuse

WARNING SIGNS
Suddenly avoids contact with the family.
Experiences rapid mood swings.
Steals money from family, friends or others.
Becomes defiant.
New friends are older or less suitable to the family.
New friends are known to use drugs.
School conduct becomes a problem.
Drop in grades is unexplained.
Develops an apathetic attitude toward being successful.
Tends to isolate.
Withdrawl from former hobbies or sports.

Some of the things you will see:
more illness, running nose, cough, dilated pupils, red eyes, slurred speech, lethargy, apathy (little interest in success in appearance, school or activities which were formerly of interest to your child), smell of marijuana in room or on the child, trancelike state, disorientation, hyperactivity followed by drowsiness, nausea, loss of coordination, loss of appetite, headaches/hangover, red nostrils,slowed speech, absentmindedness, runny nose, weight gain, fatigue, staggering walk.

Some of the things you will find:
Paraphenalia such as pipes, rolling papers, roachclips, empty cigars, cans with a hole in the side, needles, cellophane bags with foreign powder or brown/green stems, seeds,
smelly, sticky grass or fine granular smelly substance, glues bottles or aerosol cans, razor blades, ashes on the floor, pills or capsules, pill bottles, long fingernails (especially only the pinky), any foreign papers or objects, powder on nose, and any unusual
clothing patterns which display drugs or known drug users. Lastly, look for friendships with new persons whom you suspect for any reason.

These are the symptoms which are the most prevalent, observable and frequent. These, especially when observed in groups of three or four, can be strong signs of drug abuse. Do not let these signs go unattended. Get help as soon as you can in order to begin the process of reconstruction. There is hope. Ask questions of knowledgeable persons at the police station or treatment centers if you are unfamiliar with any of the above.
Do not panic! Seek help.