WARNING SIGNS TELL PARENTS DRUG USE COULD BE A PROBLEM

Duluth school district chemical health specialist Ken Steil has some
advice for parents concerned about their children using drugs or
alcohol.

"The first thing is for parents to trust their own instincts -- when
they see something changing with their child to pay attention to
it,'' he said. "We know kids who have parents who take strong stands
on monitoring their children have less drug and alcohol issues than
those who don't.''

According to a 2000 survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration, only 7.1 percent of children 12-17 years old
who indicated that their "parents would strongly disapprove if they
tried marijuana once or twice'' had used an illicit drug in the past
month.

But more than 31 percent of children reporting less parental
disapproval had used an illicit drug in the past month.

It is vital for parents -- especially those with children in the
seventh, eighth and ninth grades -- to monitor their children.
Parents need to know where their children are, who they're hanging
around with.

"Parents can tell by who their kids are hanging around with what
they're into,'' he said. "If they don't know their children's
friends, there's something wrong.''

According to the federal government, some of the common warning signs
that children may be using drugs or alcohol include:

Frequent or extreme mood swings.

A change in friends.

Acts of vandalism.

Angry outbursts.

Memory loss or disorientation.

Dropping out of favorite activities.

Poor health or appearance.

Worsening grades at school.

One of the largest warning signs of potential substance abuse is a
family history of drug or alcohol abuse.

When children are abusing drugs, parents can seek help with schools,
local social service agencies, hospitals or clinics, or even youth
ministers.

"It's important parents contact someone they have confidence in,'' Steil said.