Greetings!
This week I learned of a new drug that is increasingly popular with some adolescents that I want to share with you. It is called “Lean.” Have you heard of it? I had not before today. As with any drug, it’s simply dangerous and a direction no reasonable parent should ever want their child to go in. Everything about chemical dependency is bad, everything, and for kids it’s the worst of all evils setting themselves up for a lifetime of pain that should never be.
Adolescence is a very difficult stage for many so I want to give you some insight on some things to look for in order to hopefully stay ahead of a game you will never want to find yourself in. Some characteristics of teen drug use are the following:
Poor grades.
Skipping school and/or extracurricular activities.
Getting into conflicts or trouble at school.
Becoming increasingly defiant, hostile (such as curfew violation, ignoring rules, lashing out), or lack of cooperation.
Illegal activity or behavior.
Decreased interest in hobbies or activities they always enjoyed.
Isolation from family or friends.
Secretive behavior.
Newfound demand for privacy.
Disrespectful towards parents and authority.
Avoiding eye contact.
Personality and or mood changes are also common signs of drug use. Some examples are:
Frequent emotional instability and mood swings.
Extreme highs and lows.
Deceitful or manipulative behavior.
Lack of motivation.
Low energy.
Poor concentration.
Being unusually obnoxious and loud.
Being paranoid or afraid for no apparent reason.
Other unexplained changes in personality or attitude.
If any of these are causing you questions and concerns contact your pediatrician and your child’s school family life educator for further support and assistance.
Your questions and comments are always needed and welcome.
Peace~
