Childhood Drug Abuse
31/01/2006
This story itself is shocking, and is harrowing for parents to read. So just how easy is it to obtain drugs as a child, and as a parent what are the tell tale signs you should be looking out for?
HEROIN: Heroin's made from morphine, it usually comes as an off white or brown powder. Heroin can be smoked (otherwise known as chasing the dragon), snorted or prepared for injection. 'Chasing the dragon' usually involves placing powdered heroin on foil and heating it from below with a lighter, fumes are given off and are inhaled sometimes thorough a rolled up newspaper, magazine or tube. Heroin is very rare in youngsters, and if they are taking Heroin it will most likely be they're smoking and not injecting. Price: Heroin is a lot cheaper nowadays, generally £40 will buy a gram. Tell Tale Signs: The effects are easy to spot - they will be subdued, disorientated, uncommunicative and shallow breathing.
COCAINE: One in eight 15 year olds have tried drugs such as cocaine, speed and Ecstasy. In the UK the most common form of cocaine is as a white powder. Most users sniff it up the nose, often through a rolled banknote or straw, but it also sometimes made into a solution and injected. Price: the price of cocaine has fallen dramatically over the last 5 years - a gram now costs about £30/40. Tell Tale Signs: the child may be hyperactive, chatty and have a physical buzz about them. They will have energy that lasts for hours, and then contrast that with depression. They will also be anxious and if a big user may develop a sniff or a cough. Again, a change in appearance and weight loss are indicators.
CANNABIS: A study has revealed that a third of 15 year olds have used cannabis. Cannabis is a plant - 'hash' is the most common form in the UK. 'Resin' is scraped from dried plant and pressed into brown / black blocks. 'Herbal' cannabis is made from dried leaves of the plant - it's also known as 'grass' and 'ganga'. In the UK cannabis is smoked in a cigarette or joint, often with tobacco. Price: Cannabis prices have fallen dramatically, nowadays a gram of cannabis will cost £30. Tell Tale Signs: Tell tale signs of a child taking cannabis are that they may be withdrawn, they may lose interest in school, sleep a lot, change their friendship group, be physically tired, have dilated pupils, red eyes, and a general lack of appetite about them.
ECSTASY: Ecstasy is an illegally manufactured drug that comes in tablet or capsule form, it varies considerably ranging from brown, white or pink tablets to yellow, clear, red and black or red and yellow capsules. Some also have pictures, designs or logos on. There have been over 200 reported deaths in the UK related to ecstasy use over the last 15 years. Price: Ecstacy used to cost about £25 a pill - now it can be so little as £1. Tell Tale Signs: The pupils become dilated, the jaw tightens and there is often brief nausea, sweating, dry mouth and throat. The blood pressure and heart rate increases and loss of appetite is common.
AMPHETAMINES / SPEED: Recent surveys show that up to 18% of 16 year olds have tried speed. As a street drug, amphetamine usually comes as a white, grey, yellowish or pinky powder or as putty-like substance known as base. The powders are snorted up the nose, mixed in a drink or, by some heavy users, prepared for injection. Tell Tale Signs:Parents will notice their children will have an increased breathing and heart rate, a lower appetite, the child's pupils will widen, they will be more confident and less bored or tired. Regular use often leads to eating disorders such as anorexia, they may alternate between periods of feeling good and energetic then feeling depressed and low. Delusions, panic attacks, paranoia and violent and aggressive mood swings are also strong indicators.
GLUE / SOLVENT SNIFFING: The most common abuse of substance in younger children is solvent abuse. Last year a shocking 4% of 11 year olds were reported to have glues / solvents. One child a week dies due to solvent abuse. Tell Tale Signs: spots around the mouth and nose, strange smells, a lack of interest in appearance.
Effects Drugs Have on Teenagers: Drugs affect the way a person feels, thinks and behaves as it has a real affect on the brain. If a child is on drugs, there will be a sudden change. unusual or different behaviour from normal, silence, sulking, an increase in rudeness, drop in school work, eating problems, a change in physical appearance like red eyes, lack of energy, money missing from the home. These could be normal teenage hormonal changes, puberty, or problems in the home or at school. - so it's vital not to jump to conclusions.
Top Tips If Suspicious Your Child Is Taking Drugs: Before the parent is to confront the child, they need to educate themselves about drugs first so that they know exactly what they're talking about. An important tip is to try to find out if the child is taking drugs by communication and not detective work, i.e. sneaking round their bedroom as this will ruin their trust immediately. When broaching the subject, try not to be angry and try a line that opens up the conversation non accusingly i.e. 'I've noticed that you've not been yourself lately' etc. Importantly, try to get a picture of what is happening in the child's life and why they may be doing such a thing - what has pushed them to reach for drugs? Allow the child a chance to speak, and make sure the child knows they are loved. The parent also needs to look at their own behaviour, and ask themselves if legal drugs like drinking and smoking are frequently modelled at home, and if they are what kind of message do they think the child is picking up? The parent has a responsibility to teach the child responsible behaviour, they need to encourage them to take up hobbies and help them get into active interests. Most importantly as a worried or suspicious parent, a GP / drugscope, parent helpline should be contacted immediately.
Drug Help Lines
Frank helpline
Freephone 0800 776600
www.talktofrank.com
Free and confidential 24 hour helpline for anyone concerned about drugs or solvent abuse
Adfam National
www.adfam.org.uk
Offers publications and resources about drugs and details of local support services nationwide for families affected by drug use.
www.drugscope.org.uk
DrugScope is the UK's leading independent centre of expertise on drugs. Their aim is to inform policy development and reduce drug-related risk.
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