Is our son taking drugs? (From Asian Image)

Is our son taking drugs?

12:00pm Tuesday 13th September 2011 in Dear Massi By Massi

Dear Massi, I think our son is taking drugs Our son is 16 years old and he has changed a lot in recent months.

My daughter who is a year younger says she suspects he is taking some sort of drugs but we have no evidence of this. He has lost weight and has become very irritable and secretive. He doesn’t speak to anyone and has mood swings all the time.

He only talks when he wants money.

We don’t know what to do.

I have searched his room and found nothing like drugs. But I am convinced he is taking something.

I have tried talking to him but he won’t speak to me or his father.

Massi says, If your son’s behaviour has changed and there are also physical changes then you concerns may well be justified. Even if he is not taking drugs his sudden change in moods etc. needs to be investigated and you can do this by taking him to your GP who will be able to speak to him confidentially. There are also a number of agencies who will be able to offer you advice as to how best to approach your son. There are leaflets you can get from your GP practice or download from drugs support agencies online which you can certainly leave in your son’s room for him to read.

It is really difficult trying to get people to talk about drugs but until he has admitted he has a problem there is very little you can do. Consider speaking to him about how much money he is asking for and say that you need to know what the money is being used for and want to see receipts. If he is at school you may wish to speak with the learning mentor and ask them to have a chat to him, he may be more receptive to speaking with a stranger than with his parents.

Is there a member of the family who he likes and trusts, perhaps they may be able to get him to open up.

You need to keep telling your son that you are there for him and that when he is ready to talk you are ready to listen.

I have included a number of drug support agency details which may be of help to you. Good luck.

www.ypsh.net/support/drugs.htm.

www.supportline.org.uk/.../support_children_young_people.php www.talktofrank.com/ www.drugsline.org www.daap.org.uk/textonly_edep.html www.info.doh.gov.uk/doh/depisguide.nsf/ProjectEvaluationsWeb/.../25.pdf