It is a good idea for parents to get the facts about drugs and drug abuse while their children are still in grade school. If parents are familiar with the facts and also take the time to discuss their feelings about drug use with their younger children, they may be able to help them avoid drug problems in the future. Often, spontaneous opportunities arise, such as a television show, or news of drug use by professional athletes, which may lead to fruitful discussion. For parents of teens, knowledge about drugs is helpful in order to discuss the issue intelligently and to recognize how drugs affect users. It can be difficult to spot signs of drug use in teens because some of the same signs may be shown by emotionally troubled teens who have no involvement with drugs, or by quite normal teens during periods of change, stress or unhappiness.
Adolescence can be a stormy period for even the most well adjusted young people.
While you may see some or even many of the following signs, do not draw conclusions too quickly. Consider other reasons why these signs might be present. When a number of them occur together, however, there is cause for concern. It may not necessarily be proof of drug use though. Point out the behaviors you have observed and ask them to comment on this.