If your children are drinking or doing drugs, chances are they are also doing everything possible to cover it up.

Difficulty Level: hard      Time Required: 15 minutes

1. Be observant. If your child is drinking or drugging it will effect many areas of his life.
2. Pay attention if your child suddenly begins to have mood swings.
3. Check your child's school performance to determine if it is beginning to decline.
4. Notice if your child's choice of friends has changed.
5. Look for obvious signs like glassy eyes or alcohol breath.
6. Make note of any extreme changes in appetite or eating habits.
7. Check your medicine or liquor cabinet for any missing items. You may want to mark your bottles if you suspect a problem.
8. Be alert to any attitude changes toward anti-drug programs, toward law enforcement or authority figures.
9. Pay close attention if your child has become dishonest about things in general.
10. Search your your child's room and belongings. You have the right.
11. Talk to your child. Just come right out and ask them about their feelings toward drugs and alcohol.
    

1. Don't feel guilty about searching your child's room. You are legally responsible for anything in your home.
2. If you suspect your child has a problem with drugs and alcohol, seek professional help immediately.
3. Be a good example.
   

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