Substance abuse is a threat to society in general, and also in the lives and health of our youth. Children as young as first and second grades are being made aware of drugs. Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education (PRIDE) reported, in its tenth annual survey of students in grades 6-12, that annual use of most drugs reached the highest level since the survey began in 1987.

Signs of substance use in youth:

• Abrupt changes in work or school attendance, quality of work, work output, grades, or discipline

• Change in friends or peers

• Unusual flare-ups or outbreaks of temper

• Withdrawal from responsibility or changes in overall attitude

• Deterioration of physical appearance and grooming

• Wearing of sunglasses at inappropriate times

• Continual wearing of long-sleeved garments, particularly in hot weather or reluctance to wear short-sleeved attire when appropriate

• Association with known substance abusers

• Unusual borrowing of money from friends, co-workers or parents

• Stealing small items from employer, home or school

• Secretive behavior regarding actions and possessions; poorly concealed attempts to avoid attention and suspicion such as frequent trips to storage rooms, restrooms, basement, etc.

However, there are things that parents can do. When parents and friends talk to children about drugs, use is significantly lower. Studies show that among children who say their parents never talk to them about drugs, 37 percent reported using an illegal drug in the past year. Among children whose parents did talk to them, only 6.9 percent reported usage.  

Pretending that drug abuse does not exist or believing that it can only happen to someone else’s child does not protect our children from substance abuse, it can only make it worse. We can give our children weapons to arm themselves in the battle against substance abuse by:

• Setting a good example. If you do not want your child to use drugs, then be drug free yourself.

• Arming yourself with facts. In order to effectively combat the negative influences in the media, parents need to educate themselves and their children about drug abuse.

• Talking to your child. Listening to your child is as important as talking to them. Be a good listener.

• Getting involved. Get to know who their friends and their friends’ parents are, knowing what they are doing and where they are at all times.

• Telling them that they are loved.

• Teaching your children to be independent of peer pressure. Teach them to accept their own decisions and realize that peers pressuring them are not their friends.  

If you or someone you know has a child that might have a substance abuse problem, please call our CARELINE at 1-800-662-1002 to talk to a professional 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An individualized assessment can be scheduled at your convenience within 24 hours.