Drug Abuse Among Teenagers

What you Need to Know.

It can be very difficult pick up on drug abuse among teenagers unless you are provided with hard evidence.

Snooping around your teenager’s room may cause more problems with your relationship than it is worth.

Know your teenager.

Maintain a good relationship with them and if a change in behavior just doesn’t seem right, then you may need to dig deeper.

How to Spot Drug abuse Among Teenagers

• Look for behavior that is unusual or out of character.

• Mood swings. Including being quieter, more withdrawn, or angry outbursts.

• Withdrawing from the family. Won’t take part in activities or chores, being rude, won’t talk to younger siblings or parents (this is a hard one as it is pretty common teen behavior!).

• Poorer results in school work, complaints of unfinished homework, missed school days.

• Missing sport training, music lessons or other usual activities.

• Sudden change of friendship groups.

• Changes in physical appearance. They may have red eyes, stop washing their hair properly, and appear disinterested in how they look.

• Changes in eating habits. They may stop eating or start eating at strange times.

• No energy or motivation. Always tired. Grumpy.

• Demands for money or money missing from your wallet. Jewellery or small appliances missing.

Doesn’t Most of This Sound Like a ‘Normal” Teenager?

• Are they in the middle of a growth spurt?

• Is it just puberty?

• Are they overwhelmed by school?

• Are they fighting with their friends?

• What’s happening at home? Do you have a new job? Are there changes happening that are disruptive, or that may be making your teen stressed or unhappy?

If You THINK Your Teenager Might Be Taking Drugs

• Don’t go in with all guns blazing. You are concerned and frightened for your teenager, but they will see you as controlling, nagging and unable to understand them.

• Calm down and think about what is happening in their lives to push them in this direction. Is it a one off thing or do you have evidence that it is ongoing and dangerous?

• Talk to your teenager. Tell them that you are concerned about their behavior and that you think they are using drugs.

• Talk to them about your values, your concerns for their health and about what you will allow to go on in your home.

If You KNOW Your Teenager is Taking Drugs

• You may be left in now doubt that your teenager is taking drugs by having them come home under the influence. Keep your anger or fear in check. Make sure they are not in any medical danger then ignore them until they have recovered.

• Ask them what happened. Encourage them to speak. Try to remain calm.

• Remember that while their behavior may have frightened or disgusted you, they are still the teen you love and you need to show them that. • As above, talk to them about your values, your concerns for their health and about what you will allow to go on in your home.

• Older teenagers make their own life choices. There is very little you can do to change or control this. One thing you can do is make rules about what goes on in your own home. If it’s an illegal drug then zero tolerance is your right.

• Be careful about demanding your teen give up the drugs or get out. Seek help from other sources before you go this far. What may be a scary phase in your child’s life may be made much worse if they are pushed into really risky circumstances. However, sometimes it’s the only choice.

• Ask your teenager what drugs they are on and how they are taking them. Talk about what your teenager gets from taking them. Talk about the possible side effects and dangers. Talk about how it affects their relationships, school, and their future.

• Punishing your teen for taking drugs may not have any influence in stopping them.

• If your teenager is arrested for drug use. Be supportive but let them feel the full responsibility for their choices. They will need to pay any charges themselves, keep track of appointments and court appearances, etc.

• If you find your teenager unconscious immediately call your local ambulance.

How To Talk To Your Teenager About Drugs

• Do some homework first. We’re just giving you the guidelines here. See Contact Numbers and Addresses below for specific drug information. You need to go deeper and learn about the most common drugs and what they do, what their side effects are.

• Don’t spy on your teenager. Talk to them. Let them know you trust them. Even if did search their room and found drugs you don’t know the story behind them. Maybe your teen took then away from a friend who was getting out of control for their own safety?

• Choose a time to talk about drug abuse among teenagers that is fairly neutral and calm. Walking the dog together or driving to an activity.

• Bring up the subject based on something factual. For example, “I’ve noticed you’ve been keeping to yourself a lot lately. Coach says you’ve missed practice a few times. How are you feeling about that?” You may want to wring their neck but if they can see there are no punishments threatened you are more likely to get some information.

• Talk about drug abuse among teenagers in a general way to give your teen the chance to tell their own stories or voice their own opinions and beliefs. Start off with something like “I was talking to your Aunty Joan about some of her students. She says they are smoking pot at recess and she’s so worried about them. What do you think about it?” Don’t be judgmental or critical, just concerned, this is your chance to show your teen you can talk about these topics in an open and friendly way.

Contact Numbers and Addresses You May Find Helpful:

• Your Doctor

• School Counselor

• Local Youth Groups

• Church

American contacts:

Poison Help hotline: 1-800-222-1222.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/ 5635 Fishers Lane, MSC 9304 Bethesda, MD 20892-9304 Communications/Public Info: 301-443-3860

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services http://www.hhs.gov/kids/ 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) http://nida.nih.gov 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 5213 Bethesda, MD 20892-9561 Phone: 301-443-1124 ( or 240-221-4007 en español) E-mail information@nida.nih.gov Part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the US Dept of Health and Human Services.

UK Contacts:

National Health Service Direct http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/index.aspx Search for GP surgeries, doctors, dentists, pharmacies (chemists), hospitals and walk-in centres

Direct Gov “Public services all in one place” Information and guides on drug use among teenagers: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Yourchildshealthandsafety/WorriedAbout/DG_10026450

Australian Contacts:

Alcohol and Drug Program 6207 9977 or Health First 6207 7777 For up to date information on drug abuse among teenagers or if you want to know how to be prepared to handle a drug overdose

DrugInfo Clearinghouse Tel. 1300 858 584 – for information http://druginfo.adf.org.au

DirectLine Tel. 1800 888 236 – for 24-hour confidential drug and alcohol telephone counselling, information and referral

New Zealand contacts:

Care NZ http://www.carenz.co.nz/ Part of the National Society on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NSAD) Information and support on drug abuse among teenagers Phone: 0800 CARENZ


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