We grew up with these drugs. Parents today have knowledge, experience and perhaps too much tolerance for the existence of drugs in society. Unlike our parents perhaps who were fairly removed from the notions of drug abuse, we can not remain in denial of the seriousness of substance abuse with our own children. Nothing may be more painful and stressful for parents than something seriously wrong with their child.
Any drug abuse is just that.
The emotions felt by parents are very deep and painful. These emotions are intensified by the inability of parents to control their pre-teens or teenagers as they did when these children were small. This loss of control increases the pain and sense of powerlessness over the situation. Ignoring the problem does not make it go away. Addressing it takes an unbelievable amount of courage, strength and endurance.