08:50 PM CDT on Monday, May 22, 2006

Characteristics of children who might start abusing:

Their parents are not engaged with their children

The family doesn’t eat dinner together or communicate

Parents don’t consistently discipline them

The family doesn’t do a lot of things together, such as day trips or vacations

Parents abuse alcohol or drugs themselves

They’ve experienced emotional trauma, such as parent’s death or divorce

Source: Counselors

Parent tips

Limit the time your child is unsupervised has without supervision

Be interested and aware

Know your child’s children’s friends

Know where your child is at all times

Keep track of how much money he has they have and where they he spends it

Drug test your child so he has an excuse not to experiment

Set clear standards on drug and alcohol use

SOURCES: Counselors; The Partnership for a Drug-Free America

Drugs your child might be abusing:

Prescription pain killers: Codeine, OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin

Prescription tranquilizers/sedatives: Mebaral, Quaaludes, Xanax and Valium (benzodiazepines). Nembuta

Prescription stimulants: Adderall, Dexedrine , Ritalin

Over the counter drugs: caffeine pills, Robitussin and Coricidin cough syrup, Pseudophedrine

Source: Counselors, Partnership for a Drug Free America

Hiding spots

Dresser drawers beneath or between clothes

Desk drawers

CD/DVD/Tape/Video cases

Small boxes – jewelry, pencil, etc.

Backpacks/duffle bags

Under a bed

In a plant, buried in the dirt

In between books on a bookshelf

Inside books with pages cut out

Makeup cases – inside fake lipstick tubes or compacts

Under a loose plank in floor boards

Over-the-counter medicine containers(Tylenol, Advil, etc)

Empty candy bags such as M&Ms or Skittles

Source: The Partnership for a Drug Free America

Signs of drug abuse

He is withdrawn, depressed, tired or careless about grooming

He is hostile and uncooperative

His relationship with family members has deteriorated

His group of friends has changed

His grades and school attendance at school has have slipped

Money is missing from the house

He has lost interest in hobbies and favorite activities

His sleeping habits have changed

His eyes are red-rimmed and his nose is runny, even though he’s not sick

You’ve found pipes, rolling papers, eye drops, butane lighters, or bongs made from soda cans

You smell marijuana on his clothes or alcohol on his breath when he comes home. out.

SOURCES: Counselors; The Partnership for a Drug-Free America