Show Could your children be g on drugs a Lorraine Thurber Del Amor Lifestyles Editor EditorS at can S STUDENTS receive information regarding drug and al alcohol a awareness through various sources Cindy Halacy al alcohol alcohol alcohol al- al cohol and drug peer support team member offers information information information mation a about out the indications indications indications indica indica- of drug abuse among adolescents There are mental physical cal and social signs which may indicate if a child is on ona a drug Halacy said Parents must be aware of the signs and not ignore the possibilities Parents are not failures when working on making things better The following is a list t of things to consider in assessing assessing assessing assess assess- ing the situation 1 Noticeable changes in regular habits and activities 2 Involvement with law enforcement officials 3 General de decline in school performance 4 Absenteeism grades dropping motivations to success d diminished 5 Money or valuables missing from family members members members mem mem- bers or home 6 Lying about where they are going or have been 7 Secretive about new friends Established relationships relationships relationships relation relation- ships deteriorated 8 Withdrawn from relationships with other othe family members 9 Major changes in fn sleeping sleeping sleeping sleep sleep- ing ing- and eating habits 10 Personality changes mood swings hostility abusive behaviors 11 Red bloodshot eyes complaints ints of sore throat or day coughing 12 History of alcoholism or other drug dependency in inthe in inthe the childs child's family or other relatives friends close to the child These warning signs could also be indications of emo emotional ional problems not re related related related re- re to drug use Consistent negative changes changes changes chan chan- over time are more significant sig sig- significant significant sig- sig symptoms of a problem If a combination of these patterns are arc present parents would be using best j judgment in consulting a school counselor or professional professional professional mental health care worker It lilt isn't easy attempting to help a loved one resolve a drug or drinking problem Halacy said Educate yourself yourself yourself your your- self on the topic before talking talking talking talk talk- ing with them If you choose to confront a child do it lovingly t t- t j d r oc o.- o. H I u to If f c r 1 j 4 1 IT fi 71 v I i |