Would You Know if Your Child Was Drinking or Drugging?

In addition to recent spikes in the sales of Justin Bieber cds and skinny jeans, the National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XV: Teens and Parents found that there has been a 39 percent increase of tween exposure to drugs in school since last year. Twenty-one percent of middle schoolers say drugs are used, kept or sold on their school grounds. Exposing preteens and our youngest teens to an educational environment where drinking and drugging are common is insane, since the younger a child starts to smoke, drink or drug, the likelier that child is to develop substance abuse issues.

Do you think that you would know if your child had been drinking or drugging? Do you know the difference between typical preteen/teen behavior and warning signs of risky behavior? Sudden changes in mood, sleep or eating patterns may be your child adjusting to school or peer changes, but it could also be a warning sign of something more serious. For most parents, figuring out what is normal behavior and what behaviors are red flags is one of the greatest challenges to raising preteens and teens.

Friends/family: new set of friends, not wanting parents or caregivers to meet friends' parents, using coded language (for instance, "420" has been designated as a code to smoke marijuana; the site http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/streetterms/ is a great source for over 2300 drug street terms), new clothing, glamorizing drug use, changing activities or hobbies, risky behavior (including unprotected sexual activity, car accidents, etc.) sneaking out or lying to parents about whereabouts, lack of interest in family events, avoiding family members, avoiding eye contact, long periods of time alone in bedroom or other isolated room, locking room or having lock box, bizarre/chronic lying, and increase or decrease in cash flow.

School: increased absences or tardies, sudden drop in grades, increase in detentions, falling asleep in class, impulsive acts (such as walking out of class, incessant talking etc).

Behavior: loss of inhibitions, significant weight loss or gain, new use of mouthwash/mints/ gum to conceal smell of alcohol, drugs or tobacco, new use of eye drops to conceal red eyes or pupil issues, sleeping more/sleeping less, incessant talking, falling asleep inappropriately (during meals, conversations, showers etc.), bizarre incoherent speech, extreme secretiveness.

Health: lack of balance (falls or other injuries), unknown bruises/scratches/cuts, flushed face, clenching teeth, excessive thirst, track marks on arms or other less noticeable areas such as legs, hands or feet, burn marks or abrasions on skin, nose bleeds, sores around mouth, seizures, decrease in hygiene, depression, extreme happiness, emotional outbursts etc.

Evidence: Paraphernalia including alcohol cans/bottles, pipes, rolling papers, cigars, needles, burned spoons, prescription medication bottles with pills not belonging to your child, unknown pills, rags with strong odors, inhalant cans (such as whip cream cans, deodorizers, compressed air containers, etc.) rolled up dollar bills, broken apart pens, dusty residue on counter-tops, razorblades, small baggies or vials.

The only way to determine "normal" behavior in your child is to be involved in his or her life. Daily check-ins at breakfast and again at dinner or before bed are great techniques to open the lines of communication between you and your preteen/teen. As parents and caregivers, you have the right to know what your child is doing. Strong, caring parental involvement is the number one way to combat substance abuse.

If you suspect your child is intoxicated, please take him or her to your nearest emergency room or primary care doctor. Underage drinking and drugging needs to be taken seriously. Only with the support of area parents and caregivers will our community stop underage substance abuse. We need your help. The next Newport Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force meeting will take place September 20, 2010, at the Newport Police Station at 11:30 a.m.