Don't be afraid to take the lead when it comes to issues related to substance abuse. This could be for information or prevention,  making them aware of their responsibilities, or if you suspect drug use. Be calm and open to what your teen has to say. They need you to listen and advise, not criticize. 

Working on empowerment 

You're already familiar with a number of initiatives designed to empower young people. Ideally, these interventions should be put in place before the teen's arrival of the teenager, so that they are ready to assume accountability at this stage. Here's a summary of interventions that will help teens make the right decisions about drug and alcohol use:  

• Learn to be assertive, to say what they think, to say "no." 
• Provide opportunities to make choices (e.g., use pocket money for personal purchases).  
• Impose clear limits so that the teen learns to tolerate deadlines, put up with constraints, and manage difficult emotions. 
• Help them develop judgment; ask for their opinion. 
• Learn to solve problems, consider solutions, and make informed choices. 
• Emphasize their strengths and help them develop self-confidence. 
• Help them adopt healthy lifestyle habits (diet, sleep, relaxation, physical activity, etc.). 
• Organize leisure activities in which they feel comfortable. 
• Provide preventive and relevant information about alcohol and drug use. Listen to their questions and to what they might be experiencing and hearing on the subject.  

Stay informed   about the types of drugs available, the impact of alcohol abuse, and the harmful effects of certain drugs. 

CAUTION: Retailers often change the appearance, name, color and shape of substances, as well as the logos that might be visible on substances and containers. So what your teen consumes might not be what they think. Nowadays, the danger lies in the quality of the content offered to young people, which can be mixed or dissolved with other ingredients that are very harmful to their physical and psychological health. 

Some signs that your teenager might be taking drugs 

Physical indicators (may depend on product or quantity consumed) 

• Eye redness  
• Difficulty speaking 
• Slower movements or agitation 
• Confusion 
• Drowsiness or insomnia 
• Dry, pasty mouth 
• Sniffling 
• Munchies or loss of appetite 

Changes in usual behavior 

• Sudden loss of interest in school or other activities previously enjoyed. 
• Suddenly changes their mind about themselves: suddenly feels creative, brilliant, or exceptional when under the influence of drugs. 
• Becomes really irritable or even thinks everyone is out to get them. 
• Has recently developed an appearance that is neglected or more so, or has become very well groomed to divert the attention of those around them. 

Major changes in habits 

• Slumping school grades 
• Visits to places where drugs are sold  
• Changes in usual activities 
• Gets home late more often  
• Asks more often asked to sleep over at friends' without it being a special occasion 
• Unusual items in the room or in the teen's belongings: knives, blackened cans, handicrafts, lighter 
• Goes off to their room more often 
• Involved in the disappearance of money or jewelry from the home; sometimes shoplifts 
• Excessive appetite after an outing 

Talk about it openly 

If you suspect that your teenager is using alcohol or other drugs, you should talk to them about it. It's a mistake to think that talking about drugs with your teenager will encourage them to use drugs. On the contrary, your teen will be reassured to know that you're open to talking about it, without judging them. You can make the talk easier by adopting certain attitudes:  

• Take the lead and calmly broach the subject. 
• Make sure they are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 
• Tell them that you suspect or know that they are using alcohol or other drugs. 
• Avoid criticizing your teen.  
• Encourage them to talk about their experiences, and how they feel about using drugs. Check that you have understood it might take a few talks to get it right. 
• Try to control your emotions, even if you're tempted to react strongly.  

Your teen manages to talk to you about their use. Value their openness and tell them that you truly appreciate their confidence in you. Once trust has been established, you can move on to the next stage:  

• Explore the reasons underlying their use. Don't judge the reasons they give you.  
• Help your teen find other ways to meet their needs.  
• Inform them of their responsibilities when using, and of the risks of abusing: loss of judgment that could lead to actions they might regret (e.g., unprotected, nonconsensual sex).  

With younger children, supervision should be more focused on monitoring outings, friends, and the use of pocket money.  

Older teenagers should be encouraged to think about it and find their own solutions, while reassuring them that you're there to support them. 

Clearly state your rules, expectations, and the consequences if the rules you have negotiated are not complied with. 

Your teen comes home under the influence of drugs or alcohol: 

• It's best to wait until the first effects have worn off before talking about it, as the won't be in a condition to talk about it with you.  
• Stay calm, because everything will be better if you're in control.  
• If your teenager shows signs of advanced intoxication, avoid leaving them alone and monitor their condition.  
• If they say something odd, this is not the time to contradict them. Wait until they calm down and remain in a safe place. 

Teen drug use naturally results in a number of consequences. Once again, it's important to let your teen assume the consequences of their actions. Accordingly, your teen will have to do the following themselves: 

• Pay their debts. 
• Justify absences from school or work. 
• Face the consequences if they act inappropriately: apologize, make amends.  
• Take responsibility for their state of fatigue following abusive 

Available services 

If you're concerned about your teen's drug use, professional services are available to help you and those around you (parents and persons responsible for the teen):  

Directory of health and social services resources 
Alcohol, drugs, gambling, and cyberaddiction  

Services for parents:  
Center de réadaptation en dépendance de l'Estrie: groupe entourage 

• Topic 8 exercise

• Drugs... Let's Talk about it
• Alcohol, drugs and gambling: types of consumption and practices
• Tel-jeunes, How to Talk to My Teen About Drugs and Alcohol? 
• En mode ado. Alcohol and other drugs