How can a parent tell when their child is abusing substances? Check out the drug guide page on this site, if you have not already done so.

Unfortunately, there are no easy answers to this serious problem that more and more of us parents are facing every day. Kids are very, very good at hiding their substance use from their parents. They become very adept at lying and can be stoned out of their minds yet still look you in the eye and deny that there is anything going on.

Careful monitoring of the activities of your child, reading notes and letters they have written to their friends, listening to what is being said when they are on the phone talking to their friends, and getting caller ID so you can keep tabs on who is calling, are some of the ways to help stay informed on what your kids are up to. Write down the phone numbers you find on Caller ID that were for your child.

If your child decides to disappear for a night, you may very well be able to locate him or her by having a list of the numbers that have been calling your home over the last several months.

You may not like the idea of going into your child's room, looking through his drawers and pockets, and reading his letters, but if you suspect that your child is abusing substances, your vigilance may well save your child's life.

Please click on the link below to access the handbook:

Parents Guide to Drug Abuse