Parenting | Preventing teen drug use

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.

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.