How to work out if your child is using drugs

Is Your Child Using Drugs?

It's a nightmare to find out that your child is taking drugs. That said, if you suspect drug use, you should definitely tackle the situation right away. Ignoring drug use can make the situation much worse and could make it that much more difficult for your child to turn their life around. Here are a few steps you can take to find out whether or not your child has been taking drugs -- and how you can deal with the situation.

Gather evidence

Before you do anything else, you should build your case. Confronting an innocent child can be a very hurtful event. So, even if it takes some snooping, look for any signs of drug use. These signs can include odd or secretive behaviour, missing money, bodily marks, a drastic change in routine and, obviously, the possession of drugs.

Call a family meeting

Once you have gathered your evidence, meet with your child. If possible, have both parents at the meeting. Without getting too outwardly upset, explain why you suspect drug use and ask your child to explain their side of the story.

Stay strong

The first instinct for just about any child on the planet will be to deny -- and most likely with a lot of emotion! But instead of immediately consoling your crying child, you should insist that you are confident in your evidence. Without becoming angry, continue to use an understanding yet firm tone. This will greatly improve your chances of getting a confession from your child.

Consider a drug test

If you don't get a confession, a drug test could be in order. In the UK, there are online services where you can send a sample of hair or urine or they will send you a drug testing kit where you can read the results yourself.

Educate yourself

Educate yourself about the latest street drugs, symptoms of drug use and warning signs. Whether or not your child is using drugs, be sure to keep the lines of communication open. Explaining why drugs should be avoided and showing you care can go a long way. If you find out that your child has a severe drug problem, consider an intervention and seek a drug treatment program.