Keeping Your Teen Off Drugs

Posted by: Cathy Arnst on January 26

Did you know that last year, 47.4% of high school seniors in the U.S. admitted to having tried illicit drugs? And that 20% of 8th graders—i.e. 13-year-olds—also tried illicit drugs? (Click here for more government statistics on teen drug use) We all want to believe that a kid on drugs is some other parent’s problem, maybe even some other community’s problem. Not so. Chances are, your child, or one of his or her friends, are included in the percentages above (which are based on questioning the kids themselves, so probably low). We all need to learn as much about children and drugs as possible. To help us, Steve Pasierb, president of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, agreed to a Q & A with Working Parents that may answer some of your own questions.

Q) What is the biggest drug threat facing teens today?

The intentional abuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications. In fact, while all other forms of teen substance abuse is in a sustained decline, this is the only exception. Partnership research shows that nearly one in five (more than 4 million) teens has intentionally abused a prescription (Rx) pain medicine, and about one in ten has abused an over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine. The death of Heath Ledger—and so many other young people who aren’t celebrities— shows that the results can be deadly.

Q) Any theories on what’s behind this behavior?

Today’s teenagers are more likely to abuse Rx and OTC medicines than drugs like Ecstasy, cocaine and heroin, and one of the most powerful underlying reasons is that teens mistakenly believe that it’s safer to abuse medications than to use “street” drugs. Also many teens seek out these Rx medicines not simply to get high, but to alter their mood, deal with stress, escape.

This behavior isn’t on the radar of today’s parents, so when they do talk with their kids about drugs and alcohol, Rx abuse simply isn’t a part of that discussion. That has to change or the problem will get worse—the dangers of abusing prescription medications need to be talked about until we’re blue in the face.

Q) Do you think ease of access is an issue? Most of us have prescription medicines in our homes.

Absolutely – access is a huge factor, and here’s where parents can take immediate action at home to help protect their kids. Teens report that the number one source for the Rx drugs they abuse is the medicine cabinet in their own homes or a friend’s home. There are three steps parents can take today.

First, educate yourself about why teens use drugs and alcohol and learn which prescription medications have potential for abuse. Second, communicate with your kids about the real risks of Rx/OTC abuse honestly and frequently. Lastly, safeguard your medications at home, disposing of ones that aren’t needed and limiting access and monitoring quantities of those that are necessary. We also encourage parents to talk to other parents to be sure they do the same.

Q) Do you think parents should snoop if they think their teens are using or experimenting?

Many substance abuse experts agree that a parent’s gut instinct on this issue is worth heeding, and if you have real concerns about your child, you should “snoop” or “fact-find” or do whatever is needed to find out the truth. If your suspicion is confirmed and your teen is using, you’ll be in position to take action quickly and protect their health, which is always better than waiting to see where their drug or alcohol use might lead.

Just remember: it is your home and your child. You set the rules. And, though you want to respect your child’s independence and privacy, it should never be at the price of his or her health or safety.

Q) Not all drug use is obvious. What signs and symptoms should parents be on the lookout for?

It can be tricky for parents to figure out what’s cause for concern, because many of the signs and symptoms of teen drug abuse mimic typical teen behavior. It’s when you see multiple factors coming into play together that many parents feel the light bulb going on.
Changes in your teens’ personal appearance is a first sign for many parents—your teen looks messy or doesn’t care about their appearance, has red eyes or a flushed face, or suddenly loses a lot of weight. Significant changes in friends or networks of friends. Or they may start breaking curfew, have cash flow problems or unexplained car accidents. Avoiding eye contact, locking the bedroom doors and secretive phone calls may also be tip-offs.

Don’t be afraid to ask your teen direct questions like “Have you been offered drugs?” If yes, “What did you do?” or “Have you been drinking or using drugs?” While no parent wants to hear a positive response to these questions, be prepared to have the conversation.

Q) Aren’t some parents in denial? I’m sure some people believe that because they live in a nice neighborhood, have a good family, and their kids go to a reputable school, drug use won’t be an issue they’ll face.

Yes, denial can be a very powerful distraction for parents. A lot of parents don’t even realize that they had a “not my kid” attitude until they find out their kid has already experimented. Millions of families face this each year – by the time they reach 12th grade, half of teens have tried drugs or alcohol. What’s most important to remember is that when you learn your teen has used drugs or alcohol, take it seriously. Plenty of kids experiment and have no long-term issues, but every child is different. Addiction almost always begins in adolescence. Some 22 million people in this country are addicted to drugs or alcohol—it can happen to anyone.

Q) If your child asks if you’ve ever used drugs, how do you answer that question?

We encourage parents to answer the question “Did you do Drugs?” honestly—but you don’t have to tell your kids every detail of your past. It’s a great opportunity to speak openly about what tempted you to do drugs, to talk about any negative impact you saw on your life or a friend’s life, and remind your kids why you want them to avoid making the same mistakes. We have a specific piece on our web site about this, what to say to your kids about drugs if you did drugs.

This isn’t about your past. It’s about your child’s future. What’s important now is that your kids understand the risks and that you don’t want them to use drugs.

For more from Working Parents on this subject, read Children On Drugs—More Common Than You Realize, about children using inhalants to get high, and Kids and Drinking, about the effects of liquor advertising on children. From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, here’s an excellent article, Just Tell Your Kids How You Know About Drugs, about talking to your children about your own drug use.

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