Signs & Symptoms of Drug Use

It is important to watch for any significant changes in your child's physical appearance, personality, attitude or behaviour.

Changes may be noticed in:

• Eating
• Sleeping Habits
• Appearance
• Personality
• Attitude
• Interests or Hobbies
• Friends (may not bring new friends around or home for parents to meet)
• Excessive Privacy or Secrecy
• Decline in Academic Performance
• Deteriorating Relationships With Family
• Withdrawal, Isolation, Depression, Fatigue

These signs may indicate your teen could be...

• ...using drugs.
• ...is being bullied.
• ...experiencing depression.
• ...has gambling debts.

Talk to your child about signs of concern.

Young people at risk for problems may use drugs or gambling to escape stress, unhappiness, loneliness, to hide depression, or to fit in with their peers.

Action Begins At Home

Are your children going to your medicine cabinet for their next high? The Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey found that: 21 per cent of youth report non-medicinal use of prescription pain- relievers. 72 per cent of youth who used pain-relievers non-medically report getting them from home.

Dispose of unfinished prescriptions at your local pharmacy to help remove the temptation to experiment, or unknowingly support a drug addiction.

For help and more information, check the following links:

Where to Get Help

Safe Medicine Cabinet

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