Is Your Teenager Doing Drugs?

With all the talk about marijuana dispensaries, it is good to be reminded that there are signs to watch for respective to drug abuse in our keiki.

Warning signs of teen drug abuse

While experimenting with drugs doesn’t automatically lead to drug abuse, early use is a risk factor for developing more serious drug abuse and addiction. Risk of drug abuse also increases greatly during times of transition, such as changing schools, moving, or divorce. The challenge for parents is to distinguish between the normal, often volatile, ups and downs of the teen years and the red flags of substance abuse. These include:

• Having bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils; using eye drops to try to mask these signs
• Skipping class; declining grades; suddenly getting into trouble at school
• Missing money, valuables, or prescriptions
• Acting uncharacteristically isolated, withdrawn, angry, or depressed
• Dropping one group of friends for another; being secretive about the new peer group
• Loss of interest in old hobbies; lying about new interests and activities
• Demanding more privacy; locking doors; avoiding eye contact; sneaking around

RESOURCES TO HELP:

Prevention Provider List

Treatment Provider List