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Show THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday April 6, 1988 Page 14 " churches, law enforcement, and civic groups can all help with drug education, but the main responsibility remains with parents. During my 15 year experience in law enforcement, parents have asked the same questions over and over. What are illegal drugs? Why are my kids using How do we recognize symptoms of drug abuse? What action do I take if my child is using drugs? drugs? What are illegal drugs? The United States Drug Enforcement Administration recognizes five classes of controlled dangerous drugs. Narcotics are drugs derived from opium. Morphine, heroin and codeine are all narcotics. Hallucinogens are natural and synthetic substances such as LSD, PCP, mescaline, and certain mushrooms. Hallucinogens distort sense of sight, sound and touch. Depressants include tranquilizers, babiturates, sedatives, and alcohol. They slow down the central nervous system. Stimulants speed up the central nervous system. Some of these types of drugs, such as caffeine and nicotine, are consumed legally by millions of Americans every day. Amphetamines are stimulants that are Marijuana; flower tops; one ounce bag; various pipes; cigarettes; scale for often given by prescription to almost completely weighing bags; hemostats used for holding "roaches" suppress the appetite. smoked cigarettes. Tom Austin photo Cocaine and the cocaine ... ' derivative crack are stimulants also. Cannabis, or marijuana, is the most frequently abused by Tom Austin nosenseofresponsiblity. Often illegal drug. It is generally Chief of Police, Blanding the drugs themselves become a smoked as a cigarette or in pipes, but can also be baked into sickness. Whether parents want to admit it or not, the truth is that Parents need to be educated cakes and cookies then eaten. about substance abuse by today it is rare when a young person in America escapes exyoung people. Many parents Why do kids use drugs? This posure to the drug culture. It is came of age in the 60s and 70s is a difficult and complicated a documented fact that our when alcohol and drug experi- question. Their friend may urge nation has the highest rate of mentation was considered a them to try a substance and normal rite of passage. Some of they begin to experiment. Some teen drug use of any industrial these people often openly children have poor examples in nation in the words. Lets face reality. We are a condone drug experimentation the home. Their role models by their children. society. What was may be parents who frequently the first thing your mother did Todays responsible parent abuse drugs andor alcohol. cannot remain ignorant of the when you caught a bad cold? No one really knows why She gave you baby aspirin or facts of drug abuse, and those some kids never take drugs who tacitly or openly condone while others become addicted to some other form of medicine. Generally, when we go to a drug and alcohol use by their a substance. The progression doctor with a complaint, he children are guilty, by law, of from being an experimental writes a prescription. We take child neglect or abuse. Schools, user to a person with a chemi- drugs legitimately to make us 1987 feel better and at the same time set the stage for kids to want to f.1onticello use clandestine drugs. Kids use illegal drugs to make them feel OPEN 24 HOURS DAILY better and they use them with I , Know your childs friends. Are cal dependence can be subtle, and the user may not know or believe that heshe is hooked. How do I know if my children are using drugs? Parents must trust their instincts. In most instances, the parents know their children better than anyone else does. If you suspect your child is using drugs, then heshe probably is. f they what you would consider good friends, or do they fail to meet your eyes when you talk to them? Many drug users eyes are bloodshot, and they will not look adults in the eyes, or they will carry an eye wash agent with them because they know their eyes can give them away. Are your childs friends older than your child? More worldly? Look at the kids jewelry and clothing. Is your son suddenly wearing an earring? Is your Warning signs are obvious. Poor school attendance, a drop in grades, skipping classes, excessive tardiness may be symptoms. A change in sleep patterns sleeping too much or too little. Lowered standards of personal hygiene. Be aware that these things, in and of themselves, do not always mean a child is in- daughter wearing a necklace that has a marijuana leaf for a pendant? Are they wearing clothing that depicts drug use? Are there posters in their rooms that show marijuana plants or perhaps dramatize the use of drugs? Do your children volved in drugs. Adolescence is listen to hard rock music rega difficult time. It may be a ularly that has a substance abuse message? period of experimentation, ' Most drugs cause a wide curiosity, and defiance. One of the keys to recognizing a drug variation in moods and the user problem is to know your child as may appear sick. Heshe may a person. Know himher well have a runny nose or persistent cough. 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