From:  Center for Substance Abuse Prevention

When youth start using drugs they usually exhibit many different signs.  Unfortunately, we often write off these signs as normal adolescent behavior.  While teens do indeed exhibit some of these behaviors as a response to normal development, a number of these signs together may indicate possible alcohol and/or drug use.

Bloodshot, dilated, red, glazed eyes

Moodiness, unusual behavior

Strange spending habits

Lack of motivation in school, tar dies, truancy

Change in school performance, drop in grades

Excessive tardiness and/or truancies

Dramatic changes in style of clothes, hair, music

Change of friends

Dramatic changes in attitude and personality

Development of sudden, uncontrolled anger; verbal and/or physical

Eating way too much (marijuana) or way too little

Isolating from family and/or other positive supports

Changes in sleep patterns

Constant lying, unnecessary or obvious lying

Talking too slow or too fast (slurred speech, rapid or incoherent speech

Stealing, begging  for money or money disappearing

Gradual disappearance of valuables

Excessive use of breath mints, mouth wash (masks the smell of alcohol, tobacco)

Nodding out (drowsiness, lethargy)

Sweating profusely, even on cold days (physical reaction to drug use or withdrawal)

Constant sniffing (signs of withdrawal or nasal damage)

Hyperactivity (possible stimulant use)

Presence of drug paraphernalia:

Wearing long sleeve shirts in warm weather (to hide needle marks)

Drug related illnesses (AIDS, STDs, abscesses, pneumonia, bronchitis, hepatitis, kidney failure, liver damage)

What Can You Do:

 If you are a parent:

Talk to your child about your concerns, but not if they are under the influence.  Wait until they are sober

Ask questions calmly.  Dont assume anything.  Even if you are quite certain they have been using, keep your cool and express concerns without accusing.

If it is clear that your child has been using, follow through with consequences.  Ideally these are consequences that would have been established and understood already.

If you feel you are your child needs help, contact a healthcare professional, a doctor, a counselor.

For more information, check out

www.theantidrug.com/advice

Teachers

Talk to the childs parents or school counselor about your concerns

Educate yourself about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs

Teach your students about the dangers of ATOD use