| This question is one of the most often asked when | | | | flash-flash of images. Keeping them focused can be a |
| one of our presenters is speaking to a group of | | | | challenge. But the inability to focus could also indicate |
| parents or teachers. How to tell if a young person is | | | | a drug use problem, especially if it is a relatively |
| abusing drugs? | | | | recent change. |
| While there is no single way to know with certainty | | | | 5. Sudden change in friends. |
| when a person has started experimenting with drugs, | | | | Another strong indicator is a sudden change in |
| there are actually many changes that can indicate | | | | friends, especially if the new group acts a suspiciously |
| drug use. These changes are in the areas of | | | | and rarely wants to be around the parents or in the |
| appearance, mannerisms and attitude. Also there can | | | | house. This is another way that the person separates |
| be changes in participation in group activities, a | | | | himself from those who might not agree with his |
| lessening in motivation toward prior goals and a | | | | new activities. |
| lowering of his/her general willingness to help. | | | | 6. Monday morning 'blahs'. |
| Because a person on drugs usually needs to hide his | | | | Some of the new "club drugs" often leave the user |
| activities, usual mannerisms begin to change. This | | | | with a pronounced depression the day or even days |
| "hiding" shows up in many ways, no matter how | | | | after they are used. The more often these drugs are |
| much he tries to make everything appear normal. | | | | used, the longer the period of depression can last. |
| Watch for Changes in the General Mannerisms | | | | 7. Changes in sleeping or eating habits. |
| 1. The person cannot comfortably look you in the | | | | Normal sleep habits very often change when a |
| eye when speaking,being spoken to or approached. | | | | person begins to use drugs regularly. They might stay |
| Even though this is sometimes merely a sign of low | | | | up late and then sleep away the day. They also |
| communication skills and basic shyness, when it | | | | might begin to sleep very little for long periods and |
| shows up as a change, it is often an indicator of | | | | then sleep solidly for 36 hours. these are indications |
| drugs. | | | | of drug abuse. |
| 2. The person is very unreliable. | | | | Always be alert |
| The person is not dependable, shows up late to | | | | At first you might not see any physical signs of drug |
| school/work and it keeps getting worse, despite | | | | use. It takes time for the body to show the effects, |
| efforts at correction. | | | | especially when drug abuse starts |
| 3. Generally sad, grumpy or a not caring attitude. | | | | Again, the most important things to be alert for are |
| This could be the person's normal way. However it is | | | | sudden changes in attitudes, and behavior patterns. |
| also a tip-off that there is a drug abuse problem, | | | | Of course, the process of growing up is a process of |
| especially if it is a sudden change from the usual. | | | | change, but things like being tired all morning, or |
| 4. Short attention span, does not listen well. | | | | suddenly happy or awake after lunch or a break |
| Children are easily distracted. That is why the | | | | could mean the person is using drugs to get through |
| average kid's TV show is a constantly changing, | | | | the day. |