Parenting | Preventing teen drug use

Published 3:50 pm Wednesday, February 2, 2011

When it comes to teens and substance abuse, the best prevention is being involved with your kid and educated about what’s out there. To this end, I wanted to share some of the highlights from a recent Drug Awareness & Prevention workshop we held at Youth Eastside Services.

Eastside teen drug trends

• Cocaine is making a big comeback and now viewed by teens as less dangerous and addictive.

• Psilocybin or psychedelic mushrooms are considered by teens to be “natural” and therefore “safe,” though they can be toxic to the liver.

• Ecstasy/MDMA is becoming more popular to use when just “hanging out.”

• Heroin is being reported in greater use among local teens and is often being smoked.

• Prescription medications can be abused in many ways including snorting or smoking them. Many, such as painkillers, can be addictive and dangerous.

• Marijuana is still very popular among teens, is addictive and is often a gateway to other drug use. And the marijuana available today is much more potent than that of 20 or 30 years ago.

• Synthetic marijuana (sold under such names as Spice & K2) though recently banned by the FDA, is still readily available and has a more potent high with serious and unpredictable side effects.

• Alcohol is still the most used and abused substance by teens, posing huge risks, with high rates of addiction among early users.

Warning signs of drug use

• Obvious signs include intoxication, smell of drugs or alcohol, stumbling, slurred speech or glassy eyes.

• Less obvious are mood swings, volatile temper, change in friends and drop in school attendance or grades.

• Lack of interest in things that were once important such as friends, sports or other hobbies.

• Missing money, prescription medications or alcohol from the home.

• Use of eye drops, room deodorizers or perfume/colognes in attempt to conceal substance abuse.

Prevention tips

• Be a parent, not a friend, and set clear boundaries and real consequences. Kids are less likely to abuse substances when their parents strongly disapprove.

• Know where your child is, how they spend free time, who their friends are and who friends’ parents are.

• Keep the lines of communication open.

If you think your teen is using

• Stay calm and tell them in a non-threatening way that you know they’re using.

• Approach it as a family problem, expressing love and concern.

• Be prepared to withhold privileges (anything outside of food, shelter and clothing).

• If a child continues using, get them into drug and alcohol counseling.

YES offers an in depth Alcohol and Drug Education class each month for parents and teens. In addition, we offer a host of information on our Web site under Advice and Information.

Patti Skelton-McGougan is executive director of Youth Eastside Services. YES is a nonprofit organization and a leading provider of youth counseling and substance abuse services in the region. Since 1968, YES has been a lifeline for kids and families, offering treatment, education and prevention services to help youth become healthy, confident and self-reliant and families to become strong, supportive and loving. While YES accepts Medicaid, insurance and offers a sliding scale, no one is turned away for inability to pay. For information, visit www.YouthEastsideServices.org.