Can a parent tell if their child is using drugs?
As a parent you will want to know if your youngster is using drugs.
What should you be looking out for? One indication could be to find drugs or drug paraphernalia.
Beware, the same drug can come in many different forms and many illegal drugs look like many tablets or powders which you can find in any kitchen or bathroom. You could jump to the wrong conclusion and think your youngster is using drugs when they may not be.
There are also lists of signs and symptoms that have been put together to try to help parents know what changes in behaviour or appearance to look out for in their youngsters. You could look through these lists, keep an eye on your youngsters and spot the tell-tale signs of drug use. Unfortunately, it is not always that easy as all of the following signs can occur in the absence of drug use - after all, teenagers are teenagers!
Signs and symptoms
Warning signs in individuals:
- Decline in performance in school work or youth club activities.
- Changes in attendance and being unwilling to take part in school or youth club group activities.
- Unusual outbreaks of temper, marked swings of moods, restlessness or irritability.
- More time being spent away from home, possibly with new friends or with friends in older age groups.
- Excessive spending or borrowing of money.
- Stealing money or goods.
- Excessive tiredness without obvious cause.
- No interest in physical appearance.
- Sores or rashes, especially on the mouth or nose.
- Lack of appetite.
- Blood shot eyes.
- Wearing sunglasses at inappropriate times (to hide dilated or constricted pupils).
- Use of drug takers' slang.
- Being the subject of rumours about drug taking.
- Having friends who use drugs.
Many of the listed signs and symptoms are normal aspects of adolescent
behaviour All of them could be because of things other than drug use.
Most of the time, using a drug does not result in clear signs and symptoms unless you happen to be with the user while they are actually intoxicated. Think about alcohol for a moment. You cannot tell if someone uses alcohol just by looking at them. Perhaps you could smell alcohol on their breath if they had just had a drink. Maybe if they were a really heavy drinker they might have a red face. But most of the time you wouldn't be able to tell. It's just the same with other drugs. The lists of signs and symptoms usually apply to the very heavy and chaotic users. These are only a small minority - most young people use drugs occasionally and do not fall into this category.
Drug effects are complex. The same drug can produce different effects in different people. The same drug can even produce different effects in the same person at different times. So predicting drug use by trying to spot its effects is an unreliable business. What if you get it wrong? Young people will resent being accused of things they have not done. The 'signs' may be nothing more than unconfirmed rumours and your worst imagination.
There are parallels here with the previous section on drug recognition, and in both cases there is no substitute for talking and listening to your youngsters. If you think they are behaving oddly and are worried about the possibility of drug use, say so. Tell them about your concerns. Listen carefully to what they have to say. The key is communication with your youngster. Parents and youngsters talking can break through the mystique of drug use. Lists of signs and symptoms have only a very limited value in helping that communication process.
Source: A Parent's Guide to Drugs, Jersey Health Promotion Department
