Drug Use
Possible Drug Use Danger Signs To Watch For
- If your child starts changing friends suddenly and/or stops associating with long-time friends.
- Your child becomes argumentative and difficult to communicate with when you talk about friends and becomes overly sensitive in accounting for their activities.
- Grades start to decline, withdrawal from any sort of athletic or social functions, and discipline problems begin at school.
- Your child begins to dress in all one style and/or hairstyle becomes subject to drastic change or a complete lack of concern for appearance and/or hygiene.
- Drug graffiti appears on books, notebooks, wall posters, clothing and jewelry.
- Your child wants their own bottle of aspirin, Pepto Bismol, or room freshener.
- You find model glue, but your child does not build models.
- Your child starts using a good deal more of mouthwash.
- Your child starts burning incense.
- You start finding empty containers of liquid paper, lighter fluid, paint thinner, felt tip pens, gasoline, hairspray (more than normal), orajel, and over-the-counter sinus medicine.
- Your child starts using "vitamins" or herbal medicines.
Helpful Tips For Parents Concerning Drugs
- Talk to your child about drugs. If you don't, someone else will.
- Work to establish and maintain communications with your child.
- Establish and clearly articulate family values and norms. Whether you like it or not, you are a role model.
- Know your child's friends and their parents. Know where your child is and whom they are with. This isn't prying; its your job.
- Know where to turn when you need help.
- Educate yourself about the issues facing youth these days. Be a resource for your child.
- Encourage hobbies and other interests.
- Set rules and limits and enforce them.
We thank the Lexington Kentucky Prosecutor's Office for permission to reprint this information.