You probably never thought you have to wonder whether your son or daughter was using illegal drugs. But in today’s society, it can be hard to keep drugs away from our children.

While you are off at work, your child is being exposed to a world that is cruel and sometimes violent. Drugs are available even at elementary school ages, and to win the war with your children, you must know the signs.

Yelling Is Still Communication

One of the first signs that something is wrong is when the child withdrawals themselves from the family. They may spend a great deal of time in their bedrooms and refuse to talk when spoken too. They may try to eat dinner in their room or avoid all contact with the family. Talking to them may become impossible, even about the smallest of things.

Children who become anti-social, except with their new friends, are headed down the wrong path. While it is normal to be a little more private as a child matures, being totally withdrawn from the family may be a sign that they are using drugs. Force your way in, no matter how angry it makes them, keep the lines of communication open.

Some communication is better than none. Children will often yell things or tell the real story when they are angry. Leaving them alone is just what they want. As parents you need to learn to put down the cell phone, turn off the computer, leave the television off and find out a way to communicate with your child. You only have a small window with children to get their attention and they are worth missing a favorite television program for.

Slam the Door on the Bad Crowd

Have you noticed your son or daughter hanging with a rough group? If their style of friends has recently changed there is cause for alarm. Children will often find a new group when they are experimenting with drugs. However, drug dealers aren’t always so easy to spot. It’s not always the kid who is dressed in black with tattoos and piercings; sometimes they can be the lifelong friend who got caught in the wrong things.

Always know who your child is with and if they are hanging with new friends, and get to know their parents before they go to their house. Never send your child to a home unless you know the friend and the family. Sometimes the family is the main drug suppliers for the children. As long as a child is living under your roof, you may need to close out friends that are not good for them. This may mean taking drastic measures, but your children are worth it.

Who is This Child?

If your child is displaying unnatural behaviors for themselves, like excessive sleepiness, can’t sleep at all, giddy, or stares blankly into space, there may be a problem. Behavior is one of the first signs something is amiss. It is not uncommon to smells smoke and alcohol on their breath, as drugs and alcohol are usually mixed.

If your child is someone you do not even know anymore, it may be time to get help. The new friends and being socially withdrawn from the family are key signs, changes in behavior or acting uncontrollably is another key sign.

Here are some other signs to look for:

• Getting Bad or Failing Grades In School
• Cutting School
• Missing Work
• Becoming Challenging To Authority
• Trouble With the Police
• Dishonest
• Paranoia
• Forgetful
• Loses Interest In Once Loved Activities
• Uncontrollable Mood Swings
• Largely Dilated Pupils
• Taking On a Totally Different Personality

While there are many signs that a child is using drugs, you do certainly do not want to accuse a child that is innocent. There are routine drug kits that can be bought at any drugstore that can help a parent know for sure. If a child is not taking drugs then they should not resist such a test.

Get professional help as soon as you know or suspect there is a problem. The path that drugs lead children on is often very dangerous and as a parent you are only protecting them.