Parents Need to Be Vigilant Regarding Children’s Drug Use
By Amy Elinskas, MSN, RN, Faculty Program Director
Drugs are destroying many American homes and taking a toll on young people today. The commonest drug problem today in America is abuse of heroin. This a synthesized drug from morphine, a naturally occurring product taken from the poppy plant.
If you think your child is using drugs, don’t avoid it or think not my child. Ask, be direct and get help for this child. Many signs are common teenage behaviors, that is what makes it tough to start this difficult conversation.
According to Partnership for Drug Free Kids, these are some of the commonest signs:
- Mood changes
- Laughing at nothing funny
- Lack of coordination
- Unusually tired
- Hyperactive
- Secretive
- Slurred speech
- Decreased motivation
Parents need to be involved. Because we are all so busy with our lives, we believe we are involved, but often not as attentive as we could be.
- Set time aside to talk and ask questions.
- Be involved in your children’s friends, school, teams, and activities
- Set clear rules and enforce them
- Make time to do family things together
- Don’t lecture, argue or threaten
- Get help. Don’t wait till the child hits bottom.
It certainly is a different world out there today. We need to be proactive, not reactive for our family and our children.
