IT CAN be any parent's nightmare. Your son or daughter's behaviour has changed and you suspect it could be drug related. How should you approach your child?
Know the Score can help. Their helpline receive calls from parents everyday on this subject. Here are some responses from Know the Score advisors.
Question 1I think my 12 year old son is smoking cannabis and I'm worried that this could lead to trying harder drugs like cocaine. What should I do?ResponseYou should try having a conversation with your son to establish if he is in fact smoking cannabis. This can be difficult and you may feel embarrassed but remember that your son may be looking for a way to talk to you about drugs and not know how to bring it up.
Talking to him about the risks associated with using drugs may be easier than asking him directly if he is using them himself. It's often best to approach this issue in an open and non-confrontational manner and to be sure you are ready to listen to what he has to say. It will help if you make sure you have all the information on cannabis and other drugs.
Question 2My 13 year old son's behaviour seems to have changed since starting high school and I think he might be in contact with drugs. How can I confront him about my suspicions? ResponseTry and establish if your son's change in behaviour is in fact drugs related. At his age mood swings can be absolutely normal.
There are a number of signs you can look out for such as weight loss or overspending with nothing to show for it which may be an indication of drug use. You should also try talking to him about what's happening in his life to find out if there are any other explanations for his behaviour.
If after speaking to him you still feel that the problem may be drug related you should try talking to him about the risks associated with using drugs. Try not to judge him too harshly or be overly critical. It's very important that he feels you are listening to what he has to say.
Contact Know the ScoreFeeling that you don't know enough about it to speak to your child about drugs is a very common problem for parents. It will help if you make sure you have all the information. You can find out more by going to the
Know the Score website
www.knowthescore.info or calling the helpline on
0800 587 587 9. There's also a special Know the Score parent's guide, 'What Every Parent Should Know', that can be requested through the helpline.
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