Quote Originally Posted by 420mory
QUESTION: I am suspicious that my 16-year-old son may be using some kind of illegal drugs. He's just not himself lately, and his friends are some of the weirdest guys you ever saw. Can you summarize the most common symptoms of drug abuse? What should I look for?

DR. DOBSON: A complete answer to that question would fill a book, because there are so many illegal substances on the market today and each has its own characteristic "fingerprint." But there are eight common physical and emotional symptoms you might look for in your son.

1. Inflammation of the eyelids and nose is common. The pupils of the eyes are either very wide or very small, depending on the kind of drugs taken.

2. Extremes of energy may be evident. Either the individual is sluggish, gloomy and withdrawn, or he may be loud, hysterical and jumpy.

3. The appetite is extreme -- either very great or very poor. Weight loss may occur.

4. The personality suddenly changes; the individual may become irritable, inattentive and confused, or aggressive, suspicious and explosive.

5. Body and breath odour are often bad. Cleanliness is generally ignored.

6. The digestive system may be upset -- diarrhea, nausea and vomiting may occur. Headaches and double vision are also common.

Other signs of physical deterioration may include change in skin tone and body stance.

7. Needle marks on the body, usually appearing on the arms, are an important symptom.

These punctures sometimes get infected and appear as sores and boils.

8. Moral values often crumble and are replaced by new, avant-garde ideas and values.

Let me caution you that some kids are able to hide their drug use better than others. You might stop by to see the officer in charge of narcotics enforcement for your local police department. He or she may be able to give you more specific information applicable to your son.

QUESTION: What about snooping through my son's room to see what he might be doing? Do you think parents should do that?

DR. DOBSON: There are definitely times when mothers and fathers need to conduct their own quiet investigation, even though it might invade the privacy of the teenager.

This issue was discussed widely in the media some years ago when comedian Carol Burnett discovered her teenage daughter was a drug user. When the problem finally came to light, Carol was regretful that she hadn't taken steps to inform herself of what was going on. She appeared on many talk shows to say, in effect, that kids desperately need their parents to "catch them" in a moment like that.

Don't let your respect for their privacy cause you to stick your head in the sand and fail to notice what is going on right in front of you.

In situations where a secretive boy or girl is doing suspicious things, I would gather whatever information I needed in order to know how to respond.

Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006, BC Newspaper Group
Author: Dr. James Dobson
Eight Signs that your kids are on drugs

#1. Your bag seems smaller than when you put it away

#2 Your kids start to mimmic your behavior

#3 Your kids ask you for a rolling paper

#4 They ask you to compare the pot they got from their dealer, to the pot you got from yours.

#5 You notice that there are now five bongs in the house, along with the one you have.

#6 The kids took an interest in hydroponic gardening

#7 They start saying, "hey man", when they want a favor

#8 Your roach collection seems to be dwindling

dai*ma:stoned: sfca94110