Watch list for Parents

I've created a watch list for parents. So many more things can be added but these are some good telling signs that there might be an issue on your hands.....

Watch List for Parents

1. Changes in friends
2. Negative changes in schoolwork, missing school, or declining grades
3. Increased secrecy about possessions or activities
4. Use of incense, room deodorant, or perfume to hide smoke or chemical odors
5. Subtle changes in conversations with friends, e.g. more secretive, using “coded” language
6. Change in clothing choices: new fascination with clothes that highlight drug use
7. Increase in borrowing money
8. Evidence of drug paraphernalia such as pipes, rolling papers, etc.
9. Evidence of use of inhalant products (such as hairspray, nail polish, correction fluid, common 10. household products); Rags and paper bags are sometimes used as accessories
11. Bottles of eye drops, which may be used to mask bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils
12. New use of mouthwash or breath mints to cover up the smell of alcohol
13. Missing prescription drugs—especially narcotics and mood stabilizers

Keep an eye out to any of these things, sit them down, and TALK with them, even if what you suspect turns out to be wrong. Your kids will gain a lot more respect for you if you do not shy away from this issue.