COUNSELOR OFFERS ADVICE ON DETECTING DRUG USE

COLUMBUS - When it comes to drug use among teens, red flags are there
as warning signs. Parents just need to learn how to look for them.

That was the message given at a meeting of the T4C (Time for Change)
Coalition when the parent committee of the group held its monthly
meeting at Youth For Christ.

Jill Colegrove of Colegrove Counseling spoke to the group of about 20
adults concerning signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol use among youth.

The discussion included illegal drugs such as marijuana and cocaine,
but also abuse of prescription drugs and household products.

Several over the counter medications can be used to get high,
including motion sickness prevention pills and cough and cold
medicines. Common products found in the home like bath salts and
aerosol cans are also used.

Colegrove said there are patterns of behaviors for drug users and
parents should be aware of them. She listed warning signs visible at
home and school, and also physical and emotional signs.

"Just because you see one or two of three of these things going on
.. doesn't mean that a person is using. But when you see more and
more of these symptoms, the red flag should go up," Colegrove said.

When certain behaviors that aren't typical go on for a number of
weeks, it could be an indication of drug use. Some signs are more
obvious than others, like finding cigarette rolling papers, pipes,
small glass vials, plastic baggies and remnants of drugs.

But changes in how a person acts can also be a warning sign. In the
home, parents should be mindful of behavior changes such as loss of
interest in family activities, disrespect of family rules, increase
or decrease in appetite, lying about activities and spending a lot of
time in their room.

Colegrove advocates searching a child's room when suspicion arises.

"We don't want to invade their privacy, but we also want to be
checking up on them," she said.

Parents need to keep in mind that teenagers can be rebellious and
might act out, but also know what is considered normal behavior. When
behavioral changes are noticed, that is when best judgment needs to
be used by parents, Colegrove said.

Similar changes in children at school can also be symptom of drug
use. Teens who are using might see a sudden drop in grades, are
disinterested learning or in activities they used to be involved in,
are truant, exhibits a poor work performance, are defiant of
authority and have reduced attention spans or memory.

"Some of these things are normal and can be expected, but when we
start noticing a pattern of this, that's when we want to start prying
and getting in their business," Colegrove said.

Physical and emotional signs can include changes in friends,
unexplainable mood swings and behavior, rarely sharing personal
problems, being overly tired or hyperactive, unhappy or depressed,
always needing money or having excessive amounts of money and being
sloppy in appearance or not keeping up proper hygiene.

Parents who are suspicious about their child using drugs do have
access to at-home drug testing kits. Those area available at several
places in town including East Central Health Department, Columbus
Police Station, diversion office in the court house, Colegrove
Counseling and Youth For Christ. The kits will test for
methamphetamines, cocaine, opiates and marijuana (THC).

Colegrove said it is important to not jump to the conclusion that a
child is using drugs and alcohol if a parent notices one or two of
the warning signs. But they need to act if more signs appear.

"It takes several of these things put together to say 'maybe.' And
even then you don't want to say, 'Hey, you are using drugs because
you are doing this and this.' Say, 'I'm kind of worried about you
because I've noticed all these changes in you,'" Colegrove said.