Teens and Drugs – What you Need to Know.

You may believe that the greatest harm that can come to your family with regard to teens and drugs is from some horrible chemical concoction bought in an alley way.

The truth is, most problems relate to the use of legal drugs like cigarettes, medicines and especially alcohol.

It’s is natural behavior for teens to experiment and to test limits and unfortunately, illegal drugs tick all the right boxes.

Don’t’ Panic!!

Research seems to show that the longer people wait before they try drugs the less likely it is that regular drug use or addiction occurs.

5 Important Things You Can Do About Teens and Drugs

• Maintain a good relationship with your teen. Be approachable, listen, and discuss rather than dictate.

• Choose your moment to talk about drugs and make sure you know what you are talking about.

• Keep your emotions and fears under control. Being angry and judgmental won’t help.

• Talk honestly about drugs you may use (remember that alcohol and prescription medicines are drugs).

• If you believe your teenager is on drugs, ask for help. Talk to your family doctor, school counsellor or support groups early on.

10 Reasons Why Teenagers Use Drugs

• To try something different or because they believe it will be fun.

• Because it was offered to them.

• They may have been curious about what it would be like.

• Everyone else was doing it.

• Rebellion – it’s fun to break rules.

• To feel better.

• To feel more confident.

• To relax and cope with stress or boredom.

• To have a ‘high’.

• To copy the people they look up to – this includes parents. Be careful of the example you set.

Teens and Drugs: Important Facts to Tell Your Teenager

It’s true that using drugs recreationally and having an addiction to drugs are different things. However:

• Addiction will happen over time and with regular use. Do you know how many times it will take?

• It’s possible to become addicted to drugs faster than your friends.

• Illegal drugs are manufactured in unsafe labs and come with many risks and side effects. There is no control over what chemicals and fillers they contain and the people who make them don’t care if you get brain damage or die.

• It’s not just addicts that end up in casualty. You could get brain damage or die the very first time you try a drug.

Teens and Drugs: It’s more likely to happen if:

• Your teenager is not going to school.

• If they are bored.

• If they don’t have a job.

• If they don’t have hobbies or interests.

What About Your Teenager’s Friends?

• Be involved in your teenager’s life. Know who their friends are.

• Be curious if your teen changes their group of friends. It could be that the new group are seen as ‘cool’, or rebels, or are into a range of activities that your teenager finds exciting. Drugs may be one of these things.

• If your teen becomes involved in a group you don’t like, please know that it can be counterproductive to ban your teen from the new group. It just makes them more appealing. Encourage your teen to keep in touch with other ‘safer’ friends. You could invite the parents over for a BBQ so the kids will have to socialize.

• If you think the situation is getting out of hand, and talking to your teen isn’t working, then don’t hesitate to talk to someone who has experience in this area. The school social worker can be a good place to start.

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