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It is often very difficult to tell, particularly when a person only takes taked drugs occasionally. Signs can include: sudden changes of mood from happy to alert to sullen and moody, unusual irritability or aggression, loss of appetite, loss of interest in hobbies, sport, school work or friends, bouts of drowsiness or sleepiness, increased evidence of telling lies or furtive behaviour, unexplained loss of money or belongings from the home, unusual smells, stains, or marks on the body or cloths, or around the house.
However, many of these signs are easily confused with those of normal growing up. Be sure of your facts before you do anything. it is important not to jump to the wrong conclusions. Most important is to be alert to sudden changes in the person. Things like being tired all morning, or suddenly happy and awake after lunch or a break. This could be a strong sign that the person is using drugs to get through the day

Educational
Truancy	Class skipping	Constant tardiness to school	General loss of interest in school
Poor school performance	Complaints about poor class conduct and attitude	Dropping out of organized activities	Dropping out of school
Social
Changes in personality and behavior	Changes in friends	Unknown friends	Changes in hangouts
Always going nowhere special	Secretive phone conversation	Callers who refuse to identify themselves	Hang-up phone calls
Overt hostility and outbursts	Constant lying	Stealing of small items	Disappearance of clothing and money
Constant money manipulation	Unexplained appearance or disappearance of money	Wanting to buy/rent pager/mobile phone
Phychological
Depression or overactive	Talkativeness	Loss of appetite or increased	Mood swings
Confusion	Anxiety	Hallucinations	Unpredictable behavior
Lack of motivation and drive
Physical
Loss of physical coordination	Dreamy-blank expression	Slurred speech	Changes in physical appearance
Eye changes	Loss of memory	Trembling

If you do find your child is using drugs or solvents, stay calm and don't panic. Your support for your child is vital whatever the circumstances. It is important that you can build your relationship with them and show that you love and care for them, your child may need more help than you can provide. Think about people you know who may be able to help. There are many agencies and groups who will also be willing and able to support you, ask for help from family and friends, and professionals if necessary.

Teen drug and alcohol use cuts across all socioeconomic-academic lines and is a national problem in urban, suburban and rural school districts. Whether or not to use and/or abuse these substances is a decision that all our young people have to make because it is a choice available to all teen-agers.

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For information on levels of drug Use.

For information on tell tale signs listed by drug.

For information about other drugs, return to Drug Information Page.