FAQ
You ask questions and we will try to provide answers. Here are some questions people have been asking us. If you don’t see a question listed below, or need more explanation or clarification, contact us. We will be glad to provide an answer.
HOW TO RECOGNISE DRUG ABUSE IN FAMILY MEMBER ?
Sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish normal teenage moodiness or angst from signs of drug use. Possible indications that your teenager or other family member is using drugs include:
- Problems at school or work
- Frequently missing school or work a sudden disinterest in school activities or work, or a drop in grades or work performance.
- Physical health issues
- Lack of energy and motivation.
- Neglected appearance
- Lack of interest in clothing, grooming or looks.
- Changes in behaviour
- exaggerated efforts to bar family members from entering his or her room or being secretive about where he or she goes with friends; or drastic changes in behaviour and in relationships with family and friends.
- Spending money
- Sudden requests for money without a reasonable explanation; or your discovery that money is missing or has been stolen or that items have disappeared from your home, indicating maybe they’re being sold to support drug use.
- Physical and health warning signs of drug abuse
- Eyes that are bloodshot or pupils that are smaller or larger than normal.
- Frequent nosebleeds–could be related to snorted drugs (meth or cocaine).
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden weight loss or weight gain.
- Seizures without a history of epilepsy.
- Deterioration in personal grooming or physical appearance.
- Injuries/accidents and person won’t or can’t tell you how they got hurt.
- Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing.
- Shakes, tremors, incoherent or slurred speech, impaired or unstable coordination.
- Behavioral signs of drug abuse
- Drop in attendance and performance at work or school; loss of interest in extracurricular activities, hobbies, sports or exercise; decreased motivation.
- Complaints from co-workers, supervisors, teachers or classmates.
- Unusual or unexplained need for money or financial problems; borrowing or stealing; missing money or valuables.
- Silent, withdrawn, engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors.
- Sudden change in relationships, friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies.
- Frequently getting into trouble (arguments, fights, accidents, illegal activities).
- Psychological warning signs of drug abuse
- Unexplained change in personality or attitude.
- Sudden mood changes, irritability, angry outbursts or laughing at nothing.
- Periods of unusual hyperactivity or agitation.
- Lack of motivation; inability to focus, appearing lethargic or “spaced out.”
- Appearing fearful, withdrawn, anxious, paranoid, with no apparent reason.
WHAT ARE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE ?
- Infectious Diseases & Impaired Health
- HIV / AIDS
- Absence from School/College
- Loss of Job/Income
- Possible death due to frustration or ill health
- Corruption
- Money laundering and Narco-terrorism
WHAT ARE SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE ?
- Sudden Change of mood/temper
- Lack of appetite
- Bouts of drowsiness or sleeplessness
- Unsteady gait
- Nausea and body pain
- Spending long hour in toilets
- Telling lies
- Losing interest in job or in extra-curricular activities
- Increasing demand for money/stealing
- Keeping tablets, capsules, scorched tinfoil, cigarattes, syringes etc.
WHAT PARENTS SHOULD DO ?
- Caring for your children, appending time with them
- Keep an interest in child’s activities & his friends
- Talk to them and trust them find out the root cause of worries of your child, encourage children to admit their drug habit
- Share with spouse
- Consult with doctor and overcome drug addiction through treatment and counselling
- Set an example yourself by not abusing drugs.
WHAT STUDENTS SHOULD DO ?
- Always resist peer pressure. Always “No” to Drugs.
- Drugs are not “cool”. Decide yourself
- Girl students should be cautious while taking drinks containing “date rape drugs” like Rohypnol at rave parties etc.
- Report drugs abuse or trafficking to your school/college principal or police
WHAT TEACHERS SHOULD DO ?
- Check vendors and hawkers around the school/college
- Sudden drop in performance should arouse suspicious
- Random checks in hostel rooms
- Dissemination of information on drugs
- Organize event periodically to keep the campaign against drug abuse alive like observance of “International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking” on 26th June every Year.