Ds16 has stolen a large sum of money from me

[softlysadly]

Devastated. He's admitted it, so I'm not jumping to false conclusions. Says he regrets and feels very ashamed. But I'm not sure if I believe him. It was money I have been putting away for over a year for our hols (was £1000; he took £750).
Background is he's just finished GCSEs and is partying non stop. Smoking, drinking but not doing stronger drugs (I don't think). He's always been a good, sensible child - relatively hard working, law abiding etc but has gone crazy since GCSEs.
I'm at a loss . Feel so scared it's the start of a really bad patch. I've told him he has to pay it all back.
What else can I do? Anyone have any experience?

But your lax attitude has clearly let him and his drug habit spiral

I'm so sorry OP and I have no advice for you. It does sound like you are more relaxed than I would be but the fact of the matter is that one of my dearest friends has a son who is into every kind of drug and steals but nobody could ever accuse her of being lax.

I am sorry but He has not got a drug habit.. I know this. He's squandered the money on lots of crap including too much weed for him and his mates. It's not a drug habit sounds like a drug habit to me

My nephew stole a moped at 16 years old. He says he knew the boy and was borrowing it. Police weren't interested in a charge thank god but my bro convinced one of the cops to give him a dressing down about where this sort of behaviour could lead. Did the trick ... might be something to consider OP?

OP the other thing I'm learning as the mother of an awkward 9 year old is that as kids we test out a lot of behaviours on our parents, as our social and moral compass develops.

Would he have been so bold to take from one of his friends parents who left a stash of money on display? If so, I'd say you have a problem. If not, then you're going to be okay. Good luck!

"He has not got a drug habit Spartacus. I know this. He's squandered the money on lots of crap including too much weed for him and his mates. It's not a drug habit."

Your attitude is truly astounding. You're in total denial, OP. Has here been problems in school? Police involvement? Schools would come down so hard on this, and involve police. Why are you not doing the same?

And I absolutely can't stand some people coming on here and saying "ah, I did worse at his age." As if that makes it ok!

I think far too many parents fall for the argument that "16 is the new 18" when deciding what to allow their CHILD to do. Or see the odd teen on FB going to festivals etc. They are not mature enough at that age to weigh up risk properly. Their brain synapses haven't fully developed. Taking any drugs at all ("oh it's just a bit of weed, we all did it") at that age is really damaging to their mental health.

I work with teenaged boys and I have one of my own. He won't be going to festivals till he's 18, and can complain till he's blue in the face (although I don't think he will)

Same happened to me. It will have been fir some hing the don't want you to know about, weed, alcohol or run up some debts ...
Be disappointed but ...
Create a way of them paying you back
Be honest with them tell them that they must talk to you, if they are taking drugs don't judge but listen ...