Information about drugs - what parents need to know:
information for parents, carers and anyone who works with young
people
About this leaflet
This is one in a series of leaflets for parents, teachers and
young people entitled Mental Health and Growing Up. The
aims of these leaflets are to provide practical, up-to-date
information about mental health problems (emotional, behavioural
and psychiatric disorders) that can affect children and young
people. This leaflet offers practical advice for parents and
teachers who are worried that a young person is misusing drugs or
alcohol.
Introduction
Who uses drugs?
Many young people smoke, drink alcohol and may try drugs. They
may do it for fun, because they are curious, or to be like their
friends. Some are experimenting with the feeling of
intoxication.
Risks and dangers
Using street drugs or alcohol might make you feel good, but
they can damage your health. Here are some of the basic
facts:
- It is dangerous to mix drugs and alcohol. They each may
increase the effects of the other substance, e.g. ecstasy and
alcohol can lead to dehydration (overheating), and cause coma and
death.
- You cannot know for sure what is in the drug you buy. It might
not contain what the dealer says. Some dealers might mix it with
other substances or you may get a higher dose of a drug than you
are used to, which can be fatal.
- Serious infections, such as HIV and hepatitis, can be spread by
sharing needles or `equipment'.
- Accidents, arguments and fights are more likely after drinking
and drug use.
- Using drugs can lead to serious mental illness such as
psychosis or depression, and to health problems and overdoses.
How do you know if your child is using drugs?
Occasional use can be very difficult to detect. If someone is
using on a regular basis, their behaviour often changes. Look for
signs such as:
- unexplained moodiness
- behaviour that is `out of character'
- loss of interest in school or friends
- unexplained loss of clothes or money
- unusual smells, silver foil.
Remember, none of these guarantees that your child is using
drugs.
What can parents do?
In general
- Pay attention to what your child is doing, including school
work, friends and leisure time.
- Learn about the effects of alcohol and drugs (see
www.talktofrank.com/).
- Listen to what your child says about alcohol and drugs and talk
about it with them.
- Encourage your child to be informed and responsible about drugs
and alcohol.
- Talk to other parents, friends or teachers about drugs - the
facts and your fears.
If your child is using
Do...
- make sure of your facts (www.talktofrank.com)
- stay calm.
Don't...
- give up on them
- get into long debates or arguments when they are drunk, stoned
or high
- blame them - you may lose their confidence.
Where to get help
You can talk in confidence to your general practitioner or
practice nurse. They can give information and advice on local
support and treatment facilities. Other helpful agencies
include:
- voluntary counselling centres
- teachers and school nurses
- youth and community workers
- drug and alcohol agencies
- child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)
- social workers
- police.
References
- Carr, A. (ed.) (2000) 'What Works with Children and
Adolescents?' - A Critical Review of Psychological Interventions
with Children, Adolescents and their Families. London:
Brunner-Routledge.
- Rutter, M. & Taylor, E. (eds) (2002) 'Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry' (4th edn). London: Blackwell.
- Scott, A., Shaw, M. & Joughin, C. (2001) 'Finding the
Evidence' - A Gateway to the Literature in Child and Adolescent
Mental Health (2nd edn). London: Gaskell.
Sources of further information
© [2004] Royal College of
Psychiatrists. This leaflet may be downloaded, printed out,
photocopied and distributed free of charge as long as the Royal
College of Psychiatrists is properly credited and no profit is
gained from its use. Permission to reproduce it in any other way
must be obtained from the
Head
of Publications. The College does not allow reposting of its
leaflets on other sites, but allows them to be linked to
directly.
Please note that we are unable to offer advice on individual cases. Please see our FAQ for advice on getting help.
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