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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the risks associated with using marijuana?
A: Although some teens claim marijuana is not dangerous because it’s "natural," marijuana is a harmful drug. Cannabis is a term that refers to marijuana and other drugs made from the hemp plant. All forms of cannabis are mind-altering drugs that contain THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the main active chemical in marijuana. Marijuana contains more than 400 chemicals. Most marijuana that is available today is more potent than it was in the 1960’s and 1970’s, due in part to the fact that growers of the drug cultivate the plant to increase its psychoactive properties and boost sales.
Within a few minutes of using marijuana, a person will likely feel intoxication, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, some loss of coordination, a poor sense of balance and slower reaction time. Marijuana can raise the blood pressure of the user and can double the normal heart rate.

Marijuana contains more tar and cancer causing agents than tobacco. Regular use of marijuana or THC may play a role in cancer and problems in the respiratory, immune, and reproductive systems. Marijuana smoking affects the brain and leads to impaired short-term memory, perception, judgment, and motor skills. A person using marijuana may also have trouble handling complex tasks. Marijuana use affects many skills required for safe driving: alertness, the ability to judge distances, concentration, coordination, and reaction time. These effects can last up to 24 hours after smoking marijuana.

Q: My teenager wants to host a party & has asked me to stay on another floor of the house. Is this O.K.?
A: This is asking for trouble. Parents are unable to provide adequate supervision and support if they have agreed to remain in another part of the house or out of the house for the entire gathering. While it is natural for teens to seek autonomy, and it is important for parents to help their teens develop their identity and independence, when it comes to parties, parents are responsible for the safety of those present in their home. Many parents have related stories to us about how parties they’ve hosted for their children have quickly gotten out of control because teens arrived under the influence and/or brought alcohol with them into the home without the parent’s knowledge. Parents and their children should agree to the rules of the party beforehand. It is recommended that parents at least greet the guests so they know who is present and periodically make themselves present in the area where the teens are gathered so they are aware of what is going on.

Most parents trust that when they send their child to a party, the host family will be providing supervision. In addition, most communities have parental responsibility ordinances that hold parents accountable if minors drink alcohol in the home – whether or not parents are present. Parents may also be liable for injuries incurred at their home as well as injuries incurred or caused after guests have left their home under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

Q: How should I respond if my teenager asks me whether or not I’ve ever used drugs?
A: Although parents may feel uncomfortable being asked this question by their child(ren), it provides families with an excellent opportunity to discuss alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. If the answer is "I never used," it is important to encourage conversation about what issues and decisions your child is currently facing that may have prompted him/her to ask you about your past use. It is also a good time to discuss family position, rules and consequences relating to substance use.

If, however, you did use drugs in the past, it does not mean that you are hypocritical to expect your child to abstain from using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. An analogous example might be the use of seatbelts: many adults grew up without using seatbelts, yet expect their children to buckle-up every time they get in a car because there is evidence that it reduces a person’s risk of harm. Few parents feel hypocritical asking their child to "do as I say, not as I did (as a teen)" in this situation because it is a matter of safety. The same should hold true regarding parents’ rules on substance use. If your child asks you if you used drugs and your answer is "yes," this may be an opportunity to discuss problems drug use or abuse may have caused you or others you know. Also, some drugs, like marijuana, are more potent today than they were when you were growing up. We have also learned a great deal more about the risks associated with drug use. Parents should make themselves knowledgeable of the risks and include them in discussions with their children.

Q: How do I know if my teenager is using alcohol or other drugs?
A: The most important issue is to have good lines of communication between you and your children. Parents should make it a priority to see their children when they come home after being out for any length of time (after school, after spending an afternoon or evening with friends etc.).
If parents are concerned that one or more of their children may be using alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, parents should look for any unexplained changes in their child’s behavior. Some things to look for are:
• Bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils
• Increase in secretiveness and trouble with the police
• Change in energy level (either more tired or alert than is usual for your child)
• A change in friends; evasiveness in talking about new ones
• Increase in absenteeism and tardiness at school and/or work
• A noticeable decrease in school performance
• Having more or less money (that you cannot account for)
• Sudden increase or decrease in appetite
• Disappearance of money or other valuables from the home
• Using "cover ups" such as burning incense, mouth spray, eye drops, perfume/cologne.
• Drug paraphernalia or presence of drug oriented magazines, slogans or clothing

Please note that many of these behaviors are typical of adolescents in general. But when you see changes and patterns start to emerge that are uncharacteristic of your child(ren), you may be detecting the early indications of substance abuse. DON’T IGNORE EARLY WARNING SIGNS. An assessment conducted by an addictions professional can help to determine whether your child’s behavior indicates potential substance abuse. If indicated, the professional can develop an appropriate plan for intervention.

Q: I’ve been hearing a lot about Ecstasy lately, is it really that widespread?
A: According to the 2000 Monitoring the Future Study, only 5.4% of 10th graders and 8.2% of 12th graders nationally have ever used Ecstasy. Although the good news is that few teens have used this drug, it poses a large threat to those who do use it. Ecstasy (MDMA), is a synthetic drug with both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. Since Ecstasy is manufactured, people who purchase this drug often cannot be sure of what drug or what strength of the drug they are getting. Some of the negative effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, confusion, depression, anxiety, paranoia, muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, and nausea. Some of these affects may last for weeks after taking the drug. Ecstasy use combined with prolonged physical activity (such as dancing) can cause rapid dehydration, heart attacks and/or kidney failure. In high doses, MDMA can be fatal and cause a marked increase in body temperature leading to muscle breakdown and kidney and cardiovascular system failure.

Q: Do I really need to talk to my kids about drugs since they receive drug education in school?
A: The Partnership for a Drug Free America reports that teens who received strong anti-drug messages at home are 42 percent less likely to use drugs than teens whose parents ignored the issue. So, while students attend drug prevention programs in school, research shows that parents have a large influence over whether or not their children use alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. According to the same study, teens who spoke regularly with their parents about drug use were less likely to report using drugs than those who had not.

A teen’s beliefs and values, which are often adopted from their parents, are also an important factor in a teen’s choice about whether or not to use drugs. You can help prevent substance abuse among your kids by keeping the lines of communication open. You can: make your position clear on alcohol, tobacco and other drug use; discuss the fact that most teens don’t use; talk about the risks of using; and model coping skills and healthy alternatives to drug use. If parents open the lines of communication on this issue, children may feel comfortable approaching their parents about other issues as well.

Q: My husband’s father was an alcoholic and I think we should discuss this with our children, while he feels it’s better to leave it in the past.
A: Discussing your father-in-law’s alcoholism with your children could have a number of benefits. First it can be an opportunity to illustrate the risks of using alcohol and the negative consequences that sometimes follows with use and abuse. Also, there are many scientific studies that have reported that alcoholism contains a genetic component. It is important for children to know their medical histories, including substance abuse problems, in order for them and their families to make informed decisions that directly affect their health and well-being.

Children of alcoholics and substance abusers are at greater risk for developing substance abuse problems than others. This is also an opportunity within your family to openly discuss an important issue that affects everyone in your family. Family communication is an important component of substance abuse prevention, and discussing this with your children shows that you trust them and are available to talk with them about other issues that may concern them. You should keep in mind your children’s emotional and physical ages if you choose to discuss this with them. Some children may better understand and process the details regarding your father-in-law’s experience with alcoholism than others.

Email your questions to us at: prevention@peerservices.org