How do You Know if Your Child is Using Drugs?

Most parents today agree that drug use by our teenagers is one of our greatest fears.

Since the inception of DARE programs across the country, many schools are teaching the dangers of drugs and kids ARE paying attention. Part of the DARE curriculum is to work with the parents, too.

By doing so, parents are taught about warning signs to look for, such as changes in friends, changes in wardrobe, becoming more and more isolated and children who may have more volatile personalities; some parents may have the unfortunate task of finding remnants of drug use.

Other people, usually childless couples and sometimes parents of children of their own, take the opinion of ?Well, not my kid….he knows better!?

Oh, if it were to be always true!!

Through these school programs, the media, support groups and friends, the majority of parents DO have the tools and the knowledge to protect their kids from a life of drugs and other poor choices.

The task at hand is getting the parents to address it with the kids. It can be uncomfortable and it seems more uncomfortable to ask if your child isn?t doing drugs.

But doing it honestly and with a sincere heart and concern will convey to your child that you DO love them and you want to help. Not to punish them…that is not the end goal. You must ask from a place of love and support but just be direct and honest. Approaching the matter at hand in this way, if the child wants help but doesn?t know how to ask for it, being direct may be the way the door opens within the family.

Be prepared for whatever answer you get, though. They may be extremely relieved that now the ?cat is out of the bag? so to speak and this will be the prime opportunity to start the healing process and get the child to a treatment facility and prepare the whole family for therapy.

You may get a vehement, ?NO, I?m NOT using drugs!! Don?t you trust me???? And, you may just open up a whole new line of communication that will lead to further trust and accountability for the whole family!

There are children who choose to ?experiment? with drugs once in a while. It may be more of a challenge to spot any of the signs and symptoms of very occasional and sporadic drug use. But, if you suspect it at all, just ask!

This is also an optimal time to start an ongoing dialogue with your teen about the dangers of even recreational use of drugs, the dangers of those drugs and the less than reasonable choices people in general tend to make while they are under the influence.

Again, having this ongoing dialogue and making yourself approachable will further their trust with you and, even when parents aren?t around, your teen will remember all the trust and love there is being invested in them.

If these direct approach methods don?t work and all the signs point to a resounding yes, perhaps the next step is to purchase a home drug screen kit and check in the privacy of your own home.

If it?s negative, GREAT! Not only do you have good news and reassurance, for the time being, it is also a time to embrace your child and remind him or her, exactly how much you love them and how much you do trust them.

If the test comes back positive, then you have all sorts of options to explore but make no mistake, you may have just saved your own child?s life.

Amy Cainfield is an published author and a long time Internet Safety advocate and proponent of Parental Control Software that designed to help parents keep their children safe when they go online. She recommends all parents try PC Tattletale parental control software.

Related Videos :

Tattletale Wireless Security System Tattletale Systems Concept Video
Tattletale is a complete alarm system in one compact unit. Because the alarm features are integrated into a single unit there is no installation necessary and no appointments to schedule. Just plug in your tattletale, press one button on the remote control and protect everything, instantly. Tattletale uses Cellemetry™ , a new cellular technology, to provide a wireless data link to tattletale dispatch. With Cellemetry™ tattletale sends a one-way data packet over the digital
« view video »
Tattle Tale Rag O Dell played by the Raspberry Jam Band
Tattle-Tale Rag (O' Dell) played by the Raspberry Jam Band I composed this rag in about four or five hours one night in 2003 — probably the quickest composition I' ve ever done. Wish it always were that easy… Here it is played by the Raspberry Jam Band on Friday, 16 November 2007 at the 21st annual West Coast Ragtime Festival in Sacramento, California. It is their own arrangement. Tom Brier,
« view video »
AKG IVM 4 Professional Wireless In Ear Monitoring System IEM
AKG' s IVM 4 is a professional IEM (Wireless In Ear Monitoring System). This video shows it' s features and capabilities. Further information at www.akg.com Wireless in-ear monitor system with unique signal processing capabilities for live applications and professional installations Integration into a HiQnet™ system with optional HUB 4000 Q The first all-in-one solution for professional in-ear monitoring, the IVM 4 includes an integrated dbx compressor, an equalizer offering a large number of…
« view video »
Glenn Beck monitoring militias
Glenn Beck & The Government Monitor & Demonize American Militias! Hey, They say all this stuff, don' t blame me! This is Freedom of Speech at it' s best! As Protected and Guaranteed to me in The US Constitution! I would never cause any type of violence, The video is just an expression of how most Americans feel about the Government. THIS IS MY ART! Keywords: American Militia, American Resistance Movement, American
« view video »
Brinks Home Security Broadview Monitoring Test
Proof that Brink' s (now Broadview Security) isn' t nearly as quick as their commercials make you think. Let' s test their “rapid response” theory with an “accidental” alarm and a stopwatch. Before the “omg I know your alarm code” comments come flooding in, no, my code isn' t 1-2-3-4. I programmed that into the system for the sole purpose of this test, as I am not stupid enough to use that as an
« view video »