Stay involved in your child's life. You should not be afraid to ask questions
about your child's activities. If she doesn't want to answer your questions
about where she is going, what she is doing, and whom she is seeing, you might
want to limit her activities. Let her know that you want to stay active in her
life.
Encourage your child to stay involved in extracurricular activities. These
can be school related, or they can be after-school programs and activities. The
more involved your child is, the less time he will have to experiment with
drugs. If your child isn't already playing some type of sports or involved in
music, drama, or other activities, encourage your child to find a hobby that he
is interested in. Be sure to attend any games, recitals, or other activities
that showcase your child's talents.
If you and your family are members of a church, be sure your child has plenty
of opportunity to get involved with youth group activities. Try to cultivate
friendships with other families that are similar to yours. Find ways to help
your child stay busy and involved.
Help
Finally, if you suspect that your child is using drugs, seek help
immediately. If you are not sure where to turn, you might want to begin by
talking to the counselor at your child's school. You can also talk to your
child's pediatrician. These professionals should be able to help you get your
child the help he needs. They can also help you get your child back on the right
track. Life can be tough, and if your child is using drugs, this doesn't mean
you are a bad parent. It is important, however, that you do everything in your
power to teach your teen to be tough on drugs!