Tips for Parents

• Give your child a clear message that tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and abusable prescription drugs are dangerous and prohibited.
• Make talking with your children about substance use a natural part of your continuing discussion with them, rather than just a one-time event.
• If your child asks about your history of substance use, don't lie, but focus your response on your child and why your child is asking.
• Teach your child that being a good friend means getting help for a friend who abuses substances.
• See and talk to your child upon returning from a night out; if suspicious, when hugging your teen, smell his/her breath.
• Make sure that inhalants, cigarettes, alcohol and prescription drugs are not easily accessible in your home.
• Be present when children are socializing in your home.
• When your child goes to a party, ask the hosting parents what they are doing to make sure that drugs and alcohol won't be available.
• Know who your child's friends are and who your child is dating. Create opportunities to speak to or get acquainted with their parents as well.

From Joseph A. Califano, Jr.'s book "How to Raise a Drug- Free Kid"

Signals to Look for:

·   Dropping old friends and getting new ones

·   Borrowing or stealing money

·   Dropping activities such as sports

·   Increased secrecy

·   Missing or skipping school

·   Declining grades

·   Constant discipline problems

·   Sudden, frequent mood swings

·   Aggressiveness

·   Irritability

·   Depression

·   Chronic restlessness

·   Sleeping too much or too little

·   Difficulty concentrating

·   Use of stimulants to study

Symptoms of Current Substance Use:

• Excessive talking, rapid or slurred speech
• Bizarre or paranoid comments
• Excessive forgetfulness
• Difficulty expressing thoughts
• Lack of coordination, poor balance, tipsy walking
• Spaciness, inability to concentrate or follow a conversation
• Bloodshot eyes
• Dilated or very small pupils
• Excessive sweating, jitters or jumpiness
• Nodding off (eyes closing, head falling forward)
• Constantly popping breath mints, chewing gum, or drinking a flavored drink immediately before talking to you (to cover the smell of alcohol or smoke)
• Missing prescription drugs like OxyContin or Xanax
• Possession of drug paraphernalia such as tin foil, rolling papers, pipes, straws, plastic bags
• Increased accumulation of inhalable products such as glue, hairspray, or nail polish
• Increased accumulation of over-the-counter cold medicine
• Use of incense, room deodorant, or perfumes to hide smoke or chemical odors on clothing or in a room

From Joseph A. Califano, Jr.'s book "How to Raise a Drug- Free Kid"