Suspect Your Teen is Using Drugs or Driking?
How can tell if your child is using drugs? It is difficult because changesin mood or attitudes, unusual temper oUtbusts, changes in sleeping habits, changes in hobbies or interests are common in teens. Signs and Symptoms
WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR?
Negative changes in school work; 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, e.g.,more secretive, using "coded" language
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 be used to mask bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils
New use of mouthwash or breath mints to cover up the smell of alcohol
Missing prescription drugs -especially narcotics and mood stabilizers
These changes often signal somerhing rroubling is going on and may involve alcohol or drugs.