Students with high-refusal-assertiveness skills are less likely to drink underage. Help your child decide on good ways to say "no" and practice them often in role-play situations.
Decide on good ways to say "no" and practice them often in role-play situations. Some ideas are:
"No thanks. Drinking is not my thing."
"No thanks. I need all the brain cells I've got."
"No thanks. I've only got one brain. Why would I want to trash it?"
"No thanks. Drinking before your brain is developed can dumb yourself down."
Drugs and paraphernalia
Here are items that may be found in the bedroom of teenagers who might be using drugs:
• Objects for marijuana: smoking pipes, papers, cigarettes, soda cans, pouches, clips, filters.
• Inhalants: paint, markers, lighter fluid, hair spray, computer dusting spray, cooking spray are sometimes used among young people to get high.
• Alcohol: small bottles of liquor that are easy to hide, liquor in popular flavors like Buzzballs and “ready to go” shot glasses.
• Anything that may indicate association with drugs or use as incense, matches, bottle caps, lighters, etc.
• Lighters, candles, posters, magnets with alcohol brands, spoons, straws, surgical mask.
Objects hidden in plain sight
Examples of places where drugs are hidden:
• Under the bed or inside the pages of books or in CD cases.
• Hallowing out items such as hairspray, deodorant, pop cans, markers or pens to hide pills or drugs.
• Using photo clips or hair clips as roach clips to smoke the end of a joint.
• Stashing drugs in a camera or glasses case.
• Replacing water for vodka in a water bottle.
• Inside drawers or taped to the bottom of the drawer.
• Inside the lining of a coat, pillow, chair, etc.
• Inside a backpack, sleeping bag, blanket, coat pocket.
Withdrawn Behavior
• Spends less time with the family
• Spends more time alone in the bedroom
Mood Swings
• Irritable and/or sensitive
• Increases arguments with siblings
Changes in daily routine:
• Eats more or less than usual
• Sleeps more or less than usual
Changes in physical appearance
• Smells like alcohol or marijuana
• Doesn't maintain good hygiene
Rebellious behavior
• Doesn't return home when they should
• Leaves without permission
• You don't know where your child is or who his/her friends are
• You notice money or valuables missing
• You notice alcohol or medicine missing
• Your child is defensive when you ask about alcohol/drugs
Social Problems
• Changes in friends or shows little interest in his/her friends from always
• Is rebellious with authority figures
• Little interest in activities that he/she used to enjoy
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