Adolescence is typically a period of experimentation, irrespective of parenting skills and influence. Cannabis is the most common illegal drug used by teenagers, with around a quarter having tried it at least once. Parents typically worry about their child becoming dependent on drugs such as methamphetamines (speed and ice), ecstasy, heroin and cocaine. However, the more likely threat to any teenager’s health is the use of drugs such as alcohol and tobacco.
There is no way to guarantee your child will never take drugs, but you can reduce the possibility of your teenager experiencing drug problems in a number of ways.
Reasons for taking drugs
Teenagers use drugs for similar reasons that adults do – to change how they feel because they want to feel better or different. Reasons may include:
- Socialising with friends, peer pressure or the need to feel part of a group
- Relaxation or fun
- Boredom
- Curiosity, experimentation or wanting to take risks
- To escape from psychological or physiological pain.
Preventing drug use
There are no parenting skills or behaviours that guarantee a child will never touch drugs. However, parents and guardians can reduce the possibility of a child experiencing drug problems in a number of ways.
Suggestions include:
- Foster a close and trusting relationship with your child from an early age and support and encourage positive behaviour.
- Model appropriate behaviour such as drinking moderately, not smoking and not using illicit drugs.
- Establish agreements and guidelines about what is acceptable behaviour around alcohol and drugs.
- Encourage a healthy approach to life including good foods, regular exercise and sports.
- Encourage your child to have more than one group of friends.
- Allow your child to practise responsibility and good decision-making skills from an early age.
- Keep yourself informed about drugs and educate your child on the dangers of drug use. Do not exaggerate or make information up.
- Have open and honest discussions about drugs.
If you suspect your child is taking drugs
There are no specific signs or behaviours that can tell you that a person is definitely using drugs. Uncharacteristic behaviours such as mood swings, a drop in schooling performance, different friends and a changed appearance may indicate drug use – but they could also indicate other issues that are not drug related.
If you suspect your child is using drugs:
- If possible, don’t react on your first impulse give yourself time to think.
- Resist the urge to snoop or search your child’s room or belongings for evidence.
- Research drugs so that you have the facts.
- Raise your concerns calmly with your child when you both feel relaxed.
- If your child is taking drugs, don’t issue ultimatums.
- Try to educate your child on the health and lifestyle risks.
- You may have to accept that an older teenager will not stop taking their drug, no matter what you say.
- If your child gets into trouble with the police or has to go to court, support them, but let them cope with the consequences such as paying their own fines.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- For information www.hopetrustindia.com
- YSASline Tel. (03) 9418 1020 or 1800 014 446 – for information, counselling and referral to youth-specific alcohol and other drug services
- Police helpline - 98158-00229 and 0161-506300.
- DirectLine Tel. 1800 888 236 – for counselling and referral
- If an overdose is suspected, call 102 for an ambulance immediately
Things to remember
- Alcohol, cannabis and tobacco are the most common drugs used by teenagers. Teenagers use drugs for many reasons: for fun, out of curiosity, to feel part of a group or to change how they feel because they want to feel better or different.
- There is no evidence to support the theory that using cannabis will automatically lead to someone using other drugs such as amphetamines and heroin.
