The
Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse has developed eight points to help raise
drug-free kids:
• Talk to your
children.
• Listen to
your children.
• Set standards
of right and wrong.
• Remember they
learn by example.
• Love,
support, and praise them so they will have a sense of self-worth.
• Keep them
busy.
• Be involved
with their lives.
• Educate
yourself about drugs.
These
are wonderful general principles that all parents should keep in mind. But they
are not guarantees in any sense.
Many
parents have asked how they can know, in time to be helpful, whether their
children are involved with drugs.
The
council has listed some warning signs for parents to look for that could signal
involvement with drugs. These include:
•
A drop in school performance
•
A lack of interest in grooming
•
Withdrawal, isolation, or depression
•
Aggressive or rebellious behavior
•
Excessive influence by peers
•
Hostility and lack of cooperation
•
Deteriorating relationships with family
•
Loss of interest in hobbies and sports
•
A change of friends
•
A change in eating or sleeping habits
Always
remember: help is available.
