QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS

1. Are you seeing a change in your child's friendships, old friends disappearing and new ones appearing?

2. Are your child's grades dropping? Does he/she have unexplained absences from school?

3. Has your child lost his/her appetite It. or does ha/she snack excessively?

4. Is your child always out of money, even though you know he/she should have some?

5. When you answer the telephone, does the caller frequently hang up or does the caller refuses to give his/her name?

6. When your child comes home, does he/she frequently go straight to his/her room with little or no conversation?

7. Does your child resent authority from home or school and become defensive?

8. Is there less participation family activities on the part of your child?

9. If you have more than one child, do you find that one child is more demanding and causes you more concern than the others?

10. Does your child become angry easily often over unimportant Issues?

11. When you question your child, do you generally end up defending your right to ask? questions or made to feel that you are infringing on his/her privacy?

12. Are you and your spouse having arguments or disagreements more frequently about how to discipline your child?

IF YOU HAVE ANSWERED YES TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS, YOUR CHILD MAY BE EXPRESSING A PROBLEM

WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Physical Symptoms:.

Bloodshot or rod eyes
Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
Neglect of physical appearance
Wearing sunglasses at inappropriate times
Sudden appetite especially for sweets
Drug slogans on clothes
Physical Evidence of Drugs:
Smell of marijuana- a sweet odor like burnt rope in room, clothes, etc,
The roach (butt) from a marijuana joint, seeds loaves plants, mushrooms Powders, capsules or tablet. Pipes, screen. roach clips, bongs - Water pipes, rolling papers small spoons, straws, razor blades, mirrors (for use with cocaine) Stash cans (unfamiliar containers that unscrew at the top or bottom) Unfamiliar small containers or locked boxes, small plastic bag or glass vials Drug related books, magazines, and comic.

BEHAVIORAL changes at home: unexplained periods of moodiness, depression, anxiety or irritability; strongly inappropriate overreaction to mild criticism or simple requests; chronic dishonesty, stealing; loss of motivation and enthusiasm; changes in values, ideals and beliefs; changes in friends; decline in academic performance.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
1. Seek information on the local drug scene.
2. Talk with your child about drugs and take a firm stand against any drug use by your child.
3. Contact the parents of your child's friends and tell them you want to find out if there is a problem? Get the parents together and pool information. It is crucial that parents,learn what is going on.
4. Forms a parents group, work out common code basic rules on drugs, dating, drinking,curfews, etc and be willing to enforce your rules.
5. Seek professional guidance