What Parents Should Know (part V)

 

If you discover that your child is definitely taking drugs:

• Take a balance, calm view. Avoid over reaction or tearful recriminations.
• Obtain as much information as possible from your child about the extent, duration and circumstances of the drug use.
• Check if your child is ready to have help to handle the drug problem. If so, offer all support you can and arrange to see your GP or any suitable professional assistance.
• If your child is not ready to take help, insist on a discussion with an expert to clarify knowledge and attitudes.
• Take a clear, strong position that drug use is unacceptable and know the reasons why, draw your child’s attention to his or her behaviour, moods and deterioration, both physically and religiously.

What Parents Should Know (part IV)

 

IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR CHILD IS USING DRUGS….

DO:

• Obtain reliable information about drugs and know the facts.
• Involve yourself in your child’s life – get to know their friends, interests and movements: get talking.
• Become aware of your child’s problem areas. Be respectful of them and be  a good listener.
• Let alcohol and drugs be a ‘normal’ topic of discussion. Ask your child his feelings on the subject, be open to differences of opinion and suggest you both need to learn.
• Ask simple, direct questions such as “Are you smoking?”, “Are you drinking?” If the answer is negative, but you still suspect drug involvement, keep the lines of communication open by remaining in touch with your child’s  friends, activities and environment.
• Consult professional assistance if you need help handling the situation.

 

Don’t:

 

• Make blunt or angry accusations.
• Use moralistic judgement.
• Let things slide, hoping they will ‘go away’.
• Back down if your child resists attempt to get more involved in his/her life.

New Page

Visit our new page "A to Z of Drugs". On this page you will find our list of drugs and their slang names in alphabetical order. Click on the name of the drug you want information about. Explore this list to educate yourself.

What Parents Should Know (part III)

 

Drug Paraphernalia

 

As well as strange powders, tablets, capsules and other substances, there are various items of drug paraphernalia to look out for. These will depend on what drug is being used, and how it is taken -

• Incense sticks or room deodorizers to conceal the smell of dagga
• Plastic bank packets or unidentified packages wrapped in brown paper
• Unusual pipes or broken off bottlenecks
• Scorched tinfoil, tinfoil tubes and matchbox covers
• Syringes and needles
• Scorched spoons, ligatures and citric acid
• Small mirror, razor and straws
• Tiny spoons (sometimes ornate) and small containers
• Cigarette papers and home-made cigarettes
• Bloodstained cotton wool or other material.

What Parents Should Know (Part II)

 

Some common symptoms of drug taking are:

• Loss of appetite
• Being either unusually sleepy or
• Unable to sleep at night
• Bouts of talkative, excitable and over reactive behaviour
• Being unusually irritable, aggressive and even violent
• Telling lies, or acting secretively
• Losing interest in schoolwork and bunking classes
• Losing interest in hobbies and favourite sports
• Money or valuables disappearing from home
• Unusual spot, sores and marks on and around the mouth and nose
• Stains and chemical smells on clothing and about the body
• Changing friendship patterns
• Coming to the notice of Police for unruly behaviour

What Parents Should Know (Part I)

Parents often ask, “How can I detect if my child is using or experimenting with drugs?” and “What signs should I be looking for?” There is no simple answer.

In the current climate of growing public awareness about drug abuse, many parents have recognized the value of being forewarned in order to be forearmed should they have to deal with the problem in their own homes.

The fact is that there is no such place as a drug free environment. Although the majority of young people do not take drugs, the temptation is all around them. It cannot be ignored, and it is the parents’ responsibility to be aware and informed about the availability and dangers of different drugs.

It is important to remember that the majority of teenagers who are exposed to drugs either do not use them or experiment briefly then give them up. Many of the attitudes and forms of behaviours associated with drug taking could be confused with the difficult process of growing up.

However, some teenagers continue to experiment and begin to use drugs regularly. They may deny to themselves and others that they have become drug addicts , and the as the time goes on, greater and greater problems develop. At this point they will need help.