| When do you take action? Sooner rather than later is | | | | - Community health centers |
| always the best. You can immediately begin to more | | | | - Adolescent prevention or treatment professionals |
| closely monitor your child’s activities. Have a few | | | | - Local community anti-drug coalitions |
| conversations. Ask why he/she is using drugs. Get to | | | | |
| know your kid’s friends and their parents. When | | | | Ask your child if there is someone they trust or feel |
| you get a better idea of the situation, then you can | | | | comfortable talking to. They shouldn’t necessarily |
| decide what the next steps should be. These could | | | | make the final decision, but they are more likely to |
| include setting new rules and consequences that are | | | | be an active participant if they have a say in what |
| reasonable and enforceable — such as a new, | | | | happens. |
| earlier curfew, no cell phone or computer privileges | | | | |
| for a period of time, or less time hanging out with | | | | Take your child to the doctor or talk to the school |
| friends. You may want to get them involved in new | | | | nurse and ask him or her about screening your child |
| or other activities that will keep them busy and help | | | | for drugs and alcohol. This may involve the health |
| them meet new people. For more information about | | | | professional asking your child a simple question, or it |
| how to address your teen’s alcohol and drug use | | | | may involve a urine or blood drug screen. Drug |
| and how to set and enforce rules, see our resource | | | | testing of kids is a complicated issue and is best done |
| list at the end of this page. | | | | within the context of a doctor-patient-parent |
| | | | | relationship. Sharing your concerns with your health |
| Have Uncovered A Problem? | | | | professional can help you get the advice and |
| | | | | assistance you need. If you have an appointment |
| The most important thing you can do is to not deny | | | | with your child’s doctor, call ahead to make time |
| its existence. If you don’t think you can handle it | | | | to discuss this issue. |
| yourself, ask for help. You are not alone. Many | | | | |
| parents have been in your shoes. Find them for | | | | It may also help to talk to other parents who have |
| support and insight. Contact someone at your | | | | experienced what you are going through. You may |
| child’s school. Remember, school staff can be | | | | feel as though you are the only family dealing with |
| your best ally. While it may be difficult to get past | | | | this issue, but know that there are parent support |
| the feelings of embarrassment and failure, the truth | | | | groups in your community. |
| is asking for help is the best thing you can do for | | | | |
| your child, yourself and your family. The most | | | | Parents Are The Most Important Influence In a |
| important thing is for you to take action on your | | | | Child’s Life |
| child’s behalf — help him/her stop using drugs | | | | |
| and alcohol. Look to your community for resources | | | | Research shows that parents are central to |
| to help you. Also, there are many prevention and | | | | preventing teen drug use. In fact, kids themselves |
| treatment specialists who can guide and inform you: | | | | say that losing their Influence in a parents’ trust |
| - School counselors and student assistance | | | | and respect are the most important reasons not to |
| professionals | | | | use drugs. As a parent, your actions matter. When |
| - Employee assistance professionals | | | | you suspect, or know, that your child has been |
| - Family doctors or pediatricians | | | | drinking or using drugs, take action to stop it as soon |
| - Nurses | | | | as you can. It may be the most important step you |
| - Faith leaders | | | | ever take. |