Drugs and your kids
Drugs and Your Kids: Learning to Recognize the Signs
The drug culture is constantly changing. Through this educational video, the Department of Public Safety hopes to help parents recognize the signs of drug use by teens. The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) would like to thank the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for their participation in this video.
Video Description: As the drug culture changes, parents need to be aware of new products and drug paraphernalia making their way into the hands of teens. With the school year in full swing, many teens will be tempted by peer pressure to try drugs.
Resources
- Minnesota Department of Health
- Minnesota Prevention Resource Center
- Including information on:
- Heroin
- Prescription drugs
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy
- And other drugs
- Including information on:
- Synthetic Drugs
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- Department of Human Services (DHS): Treatment
- DHS Regional Prevention Coordinators
- DHS Substance Abuse Minnesota
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
Drug Use Signs
- Change in friends
- Increased aggression or irritability
- Changes in attitude/personality
- Sudden changes in a social network
- Dramatic changes in habits and/or priorities.
- Financial problems
What Do I Do?
- Talk to your teen
- Contact the school resource officer or counselor
- Contact local treatment facility
- Contact place of worship
- Contact your local law enforcement agency
Parents have difficult decisions to make and there are no easy answers on the direction to go when concerned about teen drug use. Parents need to make their own personal choices on the best resources to help their family.
Prescription Drug Drop-Off Program
Properly disposing expired or unused prescription pills can help prevent theft and abuse of drugs. For information on free drop-off pill disposal locations in your area, contact your local law enforcement agency.