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Jesus
is the only answer for Troubled Teens...
"Your teen
does have a destiny in Christ, "...For
I know the plans that I have for you, declares
the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity,
to give you a future, and a hope..."
-Jeremiah 29:11
Teen
Drug Prevention
It
is important to keep in mind that if a child
shows any of the following symptoms, it does
not necessarily mean that he or she is using
drugs. The presence of some of these behaviors
could be the product of adolescent stress. Others
may be symptoms of depression or a host of other
problems. Whatever the cause, they may warrant
attention, especially if they persist or if
they occur in a cluster. A mental health professional
or a caring and concerned adult may help a youngster
successfully overcome a crisis and develop more
effective coping skills, often preventing further
problems.
The
key is change; it is important to watch for
any significant changes in your child's physical
appearance, personality, attitude or behavior.
Physical
Signs
Loss of appetite, increase in appetite, any
changes in eating habits, unexplained weight
loss or gain.
Slowed or staggering walk; poor physical coordination.
Inability to sleep, awake at unusual times,
unusual laziness.
Red, watery eyes; pupils larger or smaller than
usual; blank stare.
Cold, sweaty palms; shaking hands.
Puffy face, blushing or paleness.
Smell of substance on breath, body or clothes.
Extreme hyperactivity; excessive talkativeness.
Runny nose; hacking cough.
Needle marks on lower arm, leg or bottom of
feet.
Nausea, vomiting or excessive sweating.
Tremors or shakes of hands, feet or head.
Irregular heartbeat.
Behavioral
Signs
Change in overall attitude/personality with
no other identifiable cause.
Changes in friends; new hang-outs; sudden avoidance
of old crowd; doesn't want to talk about new
friends; friends are known drug users.
Change in activities or hobbies.
Drop in grades at school or performance at work;
skips school or is late for school.
Change in habits at home; loss of interest in
family and family activities.
Difficulty in paying attention; forgetfulness.
General lack of motivation, energy, self-esteem,
"I don't care" attitude.
Sudden over sensitivity, temper tantrums, or
resentful behavior.
Moodiness, irritability, or nervousness.
Silliness or giddiness.
Paranoia
Excessive need for privacy; unreachable.
Secretive or suspicious behavior.
Car accidents.
Chronic dishonesty.
Unexplained need for money, stealing money or
items.
Change in personal grooming habits.
Possession
of drug paraphernalia.
Drug
Specific Symptoms:
Marijuana:
Glassy, red eyes; loud talking and inappropriate
laughter followed by sleepiness; a sweet burnt
scent; loss of interest, motivation; weight
gain or loss.
Alcohol:
Clumsiness; difficulty walking; slurred
speech; sleepiness; poor judgment; dilated pupils;
possession of a false ID card.
Depressants:
(including barbiturates and tranquilizers) Seems
drunk as if from alcohol but without the associated
odor of alcohol; difficulty concentrating; clumsiness;
poor judgment; slurred speech; sleepiness; and
contracted pupils.
Stimulants:
Hyperactivity; euphoria; irritability; anxiety;
excessive talking followed by depression or
excessive sleeping at odd times; may go long
periods of time without eating or sleeping;
dilated pupils; weight loss; dry mouth and nose.
Inhalants:
(Glues, aerosols, and vapors ) Watery eyes;
impaired vision, memory and thought; secretions
from the nose or rashes around the nose and
mouth; headaches and nausea; appearance of intoxication;
drowsiness; poor muscle control; changes in
appetite; anxiety; irritability; an unusual
number of spray cans in the trash.
Hallucinogens:
Dilated pupils; bizarre and irrational behavior
including paranoia, aggression, hallucinations;
mood swings; detachment from people; absorption
with self or other objects, slurred speech;
confusion.
Heroin:
Needle marks; sleeping at unusual times; sweating;
vomiting; coughing and sniffling; twitching;
loss of appetite; contracted pupils; no response
of pupils to light.
Tobacco/Nicotine:
Smell of tobacco; stained fingers or teeth.
Types
of Drugs commonly used by teens:
Cocaine
(coke, rock, crack, base)
Physical Symptoms: Brief intense euphoria, elevated
blood pressure and heart rate, restlessness,
excitement, feeling of well-being followed by
depression.
Look For: Glass vials, glass pipe, white crystalline
powder, razor blades, syringes, needle marks.
Dangers: Addiction, heart attack, seizures,
lung damage, severe depression, paranoia (see
stimulants).
Marijuana
(pot, dope, grass, weed, herb, hash, joint)
Physical Symptoms: Altered perceptions, red
eyes, dry mouth, reduced concentration and coordination,
euphoria, laughing, hunger.
Look For: Rolling papers, pipes, dried
plant material, odor of burnt hemp rope, roach
clips.
Dangers: Panic reaction, impaired short
term memory, addiction.
Hallucinogens
(acid, LSD, PCP, MDMA, Ecstasy, psilocybin mushrooms,
peyote)
Physical Symptoms: Altered mood and perceptions,
focus on detail, anxiety, panic, nausea, synaesthesia
(ex: smell colors, see sounds)
Look For: Capsules, tablets, "microdots",
blotter squares
Dangers: Unpredictable behavior, emotional
instability, violent behavior (with PCP)
Inhalants
(gas, aerosols, glue, nitrates, rush, white
out)
Physical Symptoms: Nausea, dizziness,
headaches, lack of coordination and control.
Look For: Odor of substance on clothing
and breath, intoxication, drowsiness, poor muscular
control.
Dangers: Unconsciousness, suffocation,
nausea and vomiting, damage to brand and central
nervous system, sudden death.
Narcotics
Heroin (junk, dope, black tar, China
white)
Demerol, Deluded (D's), Morphine, Codeine
Physical Symptoms: Euphoria, drowsiness,
insensitivity to pain, nausea, vomiting, watery
eyes, runny nose (see depressants).
Look For: Needle marks on arms, needles,
syringes, spoons, pinpoint pupils, cold moist
skin.
Dangers: Addiction, lethargy, weight
loss, contamination from un sterile needles
(hepatitis, AIDS), accidental overdose.
Stimulants
(speed, uppers, crank, bam, black beauties,
crystal dexies, caffeine, nicotine, cocaine,
amphetamines)
Physical Symptoms: Alertness, talkativeness,
wakefulness, increased blood pressure, loss
of appetite, mood elevation.
Look For: Pills and capsules, loss of
sleep and appetite, irritability or anxiety,
weight loss, hyperactivity.
Dangers: Fatigue leading to exhaustion,
addiction, paranoia, depression, confusion,
possible hallucinations.
Depressants
(barbiturates, sedatives, tranquilizers, downers,
tranks, ludes, reds, VAlium, yellow jackets,
alcohol)
Physical Symptoms: Depressed breathing
and heartbeat, intoxication, drowsiness, uncoordinated
movements.
Look For: Capsules and pills, confused
behavior, longer periods of sleep, slurred speech.
Dangers: Possible overdose, especially
in combination with alcohol, muscle rigidity,
addiction, withdrawal and overdose require medical
treatment.
| Contact me so together
we can come against it in Jesus name
and beleive they WILL BE TOTALLY SET
FREE!!!!! Send in your Prayer Request
right now so I can agree with you in
Jesus Name for TOTAL VICTORY. |
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