connecting the dots
Typically a youth has been abusing drugs for at least one year before parents acknowledge a problem.
Parents are aware of the “dots” (failing grades, changes in behavior, lying) but believe they must find evidence of drug use. Don’t wait; ask questions now.
Don’t wait. Connect the Dots.
WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW?
- Don’t let respect for privacy inhibit your ability to help your child.
- Monitor your child’s cell phone; smartphones enable them to have a computer in their hands at all times.
- Check your child’s social media accounts, emails, and texts.
- Check your child’s internet history log for:
- Drug use sites
- How to combine drugs
- How to “cheat” a drug test
- Conduct a complete inventory of your home. Look for things that can be used and abused (i.e., alcohol, over-the-counter medications, inhalants, etc.). This requires you to know what can be abused or used by a desperate addict or as a “gateway” substance.
- Keep prescription pain medication inaccessible and accounted for; dispose of all unused pills.
- Stop enabling excessive privacy; remove phones, computers, and TVs from children’s bedrooms.
- Insist on meeting your teens’ friends and their parents.
- Monitor grades weekly if necessary.
- Know the difference between alcopop energy drinks and energy drinks.
- Don’t take the way things look for granted. Look closer to see if they are concealing something else.
parent mobile education trailer
CYA’s Connecting the Dots Mobile Education Trailer educates parents on the emerging substance use trends for teens by creating a replica of a teen’s bedroom that travels to various sites. The trailer, which has been converted to look like a teen’s bedroom, can be parked at schools or other public events. The trailer informs parents about vaping, marijuana, underage drinking, and other substance-use-related items. Local schools have noted an increase in their students’ use of vaping devices, many of which contain marijuana. Many parents have reported needing to be aware of current drug trends and delivery devices.
adult trainings
Attend an adult-only Connecting the Dots Education Event at CYA to learn more about teen drug trends.
IS MY CHILD ABUSING ALCOHOL OR DRUGS?
WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
Behavioral Changes:
o Falling Grades
o New friends combined with abandoning long-time friendships
o Changes in eating habits
o Increased frequency & intensity of mood swings
o Unusual confrontational behavior
o New willingness to take reckless chances
o Abrupt changes in sleeping & showering patterns
o Loss of interest in established activities
o New & secretive or coded language without explanation
o Lying
o Stealing or demanding money
Physical Symptoms:
o Nausea
o Dizziness
o Vomiting
o Sweating
o Clammy & itchy skin
o Contracted pupils
o Constant runny nose
o Weight loss
o Muscle or bone pain
o Excessive thirst or dry mouth
o Slurred speech
Does your child have any of these signs or behavior changes? It is time to investigate further.