Drug Awareness
For Parents
Teenagers and Drug Use in Perspective
Opening the Channels of Communication
Why Do Teenagers Use Illicit Drugs?
Do You Think Your Child Is Using Drugs?
Facts on Specific Illicit Substances
LINKS - More Info?
INTRODUCTION
If you are the parent of a teenager, you need to be aware that experimenting with drugs is no longer something other people's kids do,
nor is it something kids form bad homes do. It is just as likely to be something your kids do.
TEENAGERS AND DRUG USE IN PERSPECTIVE
These days, drugs are quite accessible.
Getting drugs need not be difficult for a teenager. Their suppliers are usually other young people, friends or older peers - not drug
dealers hanging around the schoolyard.
It is illegal to give or sell illicit drugs. A person who does so is liable for a penalty of $100,000 or 25 years imprisonment.
Experimenting is part of growing up.
As part of developing their personality, teenagers may experiment with things such as clothes, ways of talking and sex. They can also
be curious about drugs and they may experiment with friends to fit into a social group. They often rely on friends to tell them what to
expect from a drug. This information is often incorrect, so it is important to inform teenagers about the effects of certain drugs and
how the effects may vary widely depending on the individual, the setting, the amount taken and the purity of the drug.
Different drugs appeal to different age groups.
For those teenagers who choose to use marijuana, the starting age tends to range from early to mid-teens. For less commonly used
drugs such as LSD (trips), and amphetamines (speed), experimentation usually begins in mid to late teens.
The use of any drug for any age group is very much dependent on 1) how popular the drug is, 2) how available the drug is or
3) how cheap the drug is.
Usage doesn't mean dependence.
There are many stages that people will go through before their use can be classified as dependent. In the diagram below we have
illustrated the different stages involved. The number of teenagers who reach dependent use is extremely low.
Where is your child on this drug use scale?
WHY DO TEENAGERS USE ILLICIT DRUGS?
It can be difficult for a parent to imagine why a teenager would use drugs. The reasons are different for each teenager. Understanding
some of the reasons why teenagers use drugs may give you the sensitivity to the many different pressures and concerns that they face.
Some of the common reasons that teenagers use illicit drugs include:
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Availability
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Experimentation
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Peer influence
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Relaxation
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To eliminate problems
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Rebellion
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Heightened sensations
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Self-esteem
"Someone had some and I just thought I'd try it"
"I always wanted to try that stuff"
"All my friends were doing it so I thought why not?"
"It made me feel really relaxed"
"All my problems from school, home, and life just went away."
"It was really exciting and kind of dangerous"
"I really like the high-rush feeling"
"It gave me more confidence. I could talk better."
As you probably realize, these issues are about growing up and becoming an adult. The statements expressed above describe teenagers
who are trying to understand who they are. At this time they need reassurance, understanding and guidance in making informed
decisions about their future.
FACTS ON SPECIFIC ILLICIT SUBSTANCES
Amphetamines
Common names
Street names include speed, uppers, whizz, billyo and go-ey.
Appearance
Speed mainly comes as a white or greyish powder. It is usually drunk (often diluted in juice), injected or snorted. Speed can also come
in tablet form and is swallowed.
Student Cost
Amphetamines are affordable to almost every student.
Effects
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Speed is a stimulant. It stimulates the nervous system to keep users awake and alert. It speeds up your breathing and heart
rate and makes the user feel energized and excited. It is often reported to give a feeling of self-confidence. For some users,
speed is used as a means of losing weight.
Some of the common negative effects speed can cause are mood swings, anger tantrums, irritability and restlessness.
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Long-term use of speed can cause insomnia, paranoia and mental confusion. Users are often physically run down because of
lack of sleep and food. Regular users often suffer from severe depression. Needle use also carries the risk of HIV/AIDS,
Hepatitis A, B, C and other infections from sharing needles, syringes and other injecting equipment.
Marijuana
Common Names
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug. Common street names include dope, grass, green, hash, gunga, blow, and weed.
Appearance
Marijuana is derived from the leafy plant cannabis sativa. It can be bought as the dried flowers (heads), leaves, stalks, and seeds all of
which are called marijuana or in a solid brown lump called hashish or hash. Cannabis is usually smoked via a bong, pipe or joint. A
bong is a water pipe, and a joint consists of tobacco and cannabis rolled into a cigarette. Cannabis can also be eaten.
Student Cost
Marijuana "joints" are affordable to almost every student. They are often shared at no cost to the user.
Effects
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When smoked, the effects are experienced quickly. The most common sensations are relaxation, light euphoria, a feeling of
happiness, and perhaps talkativeness and the urge to laugh.
High doses of cannabis can cause depression or paranoia.
Cannabis has a higher tar content than tobacco. Smoking cannabis can therefore cause bronchitis, lung cancer and other
smoking - related diseases.
Cannabis is not physically addictive. However, some regular users will experience psychological dependence.
Cannabis use can impair short-term memory, logical thinking, coordination, sexual functions, and the ability to drive a car or
perform any motor or complex tasks.
LSD
Common Names
Common names for LSD include acid, trips, T's, tabs, blotters, dots or micro dots.
Appearance
LSD usually comes in small squares of blotting paper with a cartoon picture or motif printed on one side. LSD can also come in the
form of tablets, capsules or pills. These can be many different colors.
Student Cost
The cost of LSD ranges between $3-$5 per tablet or square.
Effects
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LSD is usually swallowed. The initial effects begin in 30-60 minutes and can last up to twelve hours.
LSD experiences are often referred to as tripping and involve a significant and often radical alteration of the user's state of
consciousness. All of the senses become exaggerated and users may report bizarre hallucinations (distorted colors and
objects) and confused senses of time, sound and color.
Bad experiences on LSD are referred to as bad trips and may involve panic or users feeling they are going crazy.
LSD affects the brain. The brain function can be permanently affected. Rapid alterations in perception can result in emotional
instability and paranoia. LSD may also bring on psychotic episodes.
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Flashbacks, a spontaneous recurrence of the original experience, can happen years later without any warning.
Tolerance and physical dependence is not known to develop with LSD.
Cocaine
Common Names
Common names for cocaine include caine, coke, snow, blow, rock and line.
Appearance
Cocaine is a white crystalized powder while crack is made from cocaine by cooking it with ammonia or baking soda to create rocks,
chips, or chunks that can be smoked.
Student Cost
Cocaine is the most expensive of the common drugs. It is often sold to students mixed with other white powders. Initial "lines" or
"rocks" sell for $5.00. The price rises for higher quality and/or demand by the user. Because the "high" does not last long additional
purchases must be made.
Effects
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Cocaine is inhaled or injected. Crack is smoked.
Cocaine stimulates the central nervous system. It heightens pleasure and increases confidence. The effects last about 20minutes. Other immediate effects include elevated blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature..
Occasional use can ulcerate the mucus member of the nose. Injecting with contaminated equipment can cause AIDS or
Hepatitis.
Preparing crack (free-basing) can cause a fire or explosion.
Prolonged use can cause paranoid behavior, restlessness, irritability, and anxiety. When trying to stop using cocaine addicted
individuals suffer depression, anxiety, and inability to experience normal pleasant activities.
Cocaine permanently harms babies born to women using cocaine during pregnancy
Cocaine is one of the most powerful, addictive drugs.
OPENING THE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION
Communicating with your child requires you to remember that the primary objective is a two-way discussion. Teenagers need to know
that you want to listen and are open to hearing their concerns abut illicit drugs. Some of the issues they discuss may be difficult for
you to understand. How you react in these situations directly affects whether your child sees you as a credible person to talk to or a
person to avoid in these types of circumstances.
Don't panic. Don't over-react.
Because there is a lot of concern and emotion around illicit drug use, it is easy to shut down discussion and shift into an "I'm telling
you mode". This won't motivate your child to talk with you. It is natural to be anxious and concerned about the possibility of your
child using drugs, but getting angry just closes the door on further discussion.
This is a typical response from a 14-year old girl we asked, "Would you discuss drugs with your parents?" She replied, "No, because
my parents would get the wrong idea. I could tell them and then, all of a sudden, they would just automatically assume I was doing it.
I just prefer not to talk to them. I just stay clear of them…"
Strive to keep the lines of communication open.
Listen, really listen.
Listen carefully to what your child is telling you. Try not to react in a way that would prevent them from discussing the issue further
with you. Allow your child to speak full sentences. Don't cut their conversation mid-way. Show them that you are genuinely interested
in what they are saying.
Inform your teenager that you expect the same respect when you have something to say. Listening to your child will allow them to
open up to you, and help you to get an understanding of their feelings and attitudes.
Be honest.
Be clear about the feelings you have. It is important to let your child see your concern. Give them an opportunity to see your honesty,
and in return you can expect them to be honest with you.
An example might be: "John, this is difficult for me. Today, when I was doing the washing I found some drugs in your
jeans. I want to talk about this because I'm worried about what it means."
Always be clear about what you want to discuss and why. This allows a child to trust you and in return to feel trusted. Being up-front
with your child means there are no surprises and therefore they are less likely to react in a defensive manner.
A 15 year-old boy said, "My parents never talk to me or even want to hear my side of the story. They just spring things
on me. And even when I haven't done anything wrong I feel like I should be apologizing or defending myself or
something. I always feel when they do this that I've done something wrong."
Problem Solve
It can be difficult to solve a problem when conflict arises in discussion about drugs.
The main aim is to provide guidance for your child while allowing them to make informed choices about their lives.
Allowing your child to participate in making the rules gives them more responsibility for adhering to them. Most teenagers expect
some ground rules to be established. Helping teenagers to learn how to solve problems helps to end hurtful and unresolved arguments.
It also teaches them how adults conduct themselves appropriately in conflict situations.
Step 1-- Get the Facts
 Review the record.
 Talk with individuals concerned.
 Get opinions and feelings.
 BE SURE YOU HAVE THE WHOLE STORY.
Step 2-- Weigh and Decide
 Fit the facts together.
 Consider their bearing on each other.
 Check policies and practices.
 What possible actions are there?
 Consider effect on individuals, groups, and company.
 Don’t Jump at Conclusions.
Step 3 -- Take Action - Communicate
 Are you going to handle this yourself?
 Do you need help in handling?
 Should you refer this to your supervisor or co-administrator?
 Watch the timing of your action.
 Don’t pass the Buck.
Step 4 -- Check Results
 How soon will you follow up?
 How often will you need to check?
 Watch for changes in output, attitudes, and relationships?
 Did Your Action Help
In summary
Ensure that you choose an appropriate time to talk.
Listen to your child's comments. Communicate your concerns clearly.
Jointly establish the guidelines for appropriate behavior in your household.
Problem solve together.
These communication methods may not resolve all the problems related to the use of drugs. They are however, effective
communication techniques that are well received by teenagers.
Some points to keep in mind
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Teenagers experiment with life.
They become more private and want their privacy respected.
They frequently contradict themselves by saying one thing and doing another.
DO YOU THINK YOUR CHILD IS USING DRUGS?
You may ask, "How will I know if my child is experimenting with drugs or using drugs?"
We have listed some common warning signs as a guide by you will need to weigh up how frequently they occur and the degree of
change. This can be difficult because many of the psychological and emotional signs are also relevant to normal changes that occur in
adolescence.
The warning signs.
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Drop in school grades
Decrease in extra-curricular activities
Reddened eyes
Lethargy
Change of friends
Unusual or irregular behavior
Mood swings
Minimal interaction with the family
Valuable items missing
Money disappearing
Changes to eating patterns
Items to watch for:
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Original or homemade pipes of any kind.
Pipes may be made of metal, wood, or household items of any kind
Plastic baggies of any size/type
Extra cash
Valuable items showing up described as belonging to a "friend"
Matches and lighters
Drug related graffiti, music or symbols in room or worn on clothing
The action plan
Step 1
Discuss with your child that you suspect drug use. You shouldn't appear judgmental or your teenager might be unlikely to talk. It is
important to get the full story so that you can build a picture of what is happening with you teenager.
Step 2
Express your concern for their well being. Ask what the perceived 'good things' are about taking drugs. Then ask what the bad things
are. This may lead into a discussion about the long-term and other effects.
Step 3
Many teenagers will simply try drugs as a one-off, and will not become regular users. If you believe however, that you need help with
this problem, there are a number of agencies that you can contact. These are listed in the back of this booklet.
LINKS -- More Info?
Links to more substance information
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Drug-Free Resource Net
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
MERCED UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Child Welfare, Attendance and Safety
Dr. Kelly J. Bentz Ph.D., Program Administrator
Original Posting by Joe Brucia, Former Director Child Welfare & Attendance