As a parent, you can influence your child in a positive manner. You may not be able to prevent your child from using illegal drugs, however, you can play a role in helping your child to make informed choices about drugs as well as other important issues. This information aims to clarify common questions asked by parents relating to drugs.
What is a drug?
A drug is any substance, solid, liquid or gas that brings about physical and/or psychological changes.
The drugs of most concern to the community are those that affect the central nervous system. They act on the brain and can change the way a person thinks, feels or behaves. These are the psychoactive drugs.
What are the main types of drugs?
There are three main types of drugs categorised by the way they act on the central nervous system: depressants, stimulants and hallucinogens.
Depressant drugs: Depressant drugs don't necessarily make a person feel depressed. They slow down the functions of the central nervous system.
In small quantities they can cause a person to feel more relaxed and less inhibited. In larger quantities they may cause unconsciousness, vomiting and death. Depressants affect concentration and coordination. They slow down a person's ability to respond to unexpected situations.
Depressant drugs include:
- alcohol or "booze", "grog";
- benzodiazepines (minor tranquillisers) or "benzos", "tranxs" with trade names such as Rohypnol, Valium, Serepax, Mogadon, Normison and Eupynos;
- cannabis or "pot", "mull", "dope";
- GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutrate) or "GBH", "fantasy";
- opioids, including heroin or "H", "smack", and morphine, codeine, methadone, and pethidine;
- some solvents and inhalants or glue, "chroming". Many inhalants are common household products such as aerosols, solvents, glue, petrol, cleaning fluid, laughing gas.
Stimulants: Stimulants act on the CNS to speed up the messages going to and from the brain. Stimulants increase the heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature. They release more sugar into the bloodstream, increase alertness and may reduce feelings of tiredness and hunger. In larger quantities, they may cause anxiety and panic.
Mild stimulants include:
- caffeine in coffee, tea and cola drinks;
- nicotine in tobacco is also a stimulant, despite many smokers using it to relax.
Stronger stimulants include:
- amphetamines, including illegal amphetamines or "speed", "crystal meth", "ice", "shabu";
- cocaine or "coke", "crack";
- ecstasy or "E", "XTC".
Hallucinogens: Hallucinogens affect perception. People who have taken them may see or hear things that aren't really there. Or what they see may be distorted in some way. The effects of hallucinogens vary greatly. It is impossible to predict how they will affect a particular person at a particular time.
Other effects of hallucinogenic drugs include dilation of pupils, loss of appetite, increased activity, talking or laughing, a sense of emotional and psychological euphoria and well-being, jaw clenching, sweating, panic, paranoia, loss of contact with reality, irrational or bizarre behaviour, stomach cramps and nausea.
Hallucinogens include:
- datura;
- ketamine or "K" , "Special K";
- LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) or "trips", "acid", "microdots";
- magic mushrooms (psilocybin) or "gold tops", "mushies";
- mescaline (peyote cactus); and
- PCP or "angel dust".
Cannabis is a depressant as well as a hallucinogen. Ecstasy can also have hallucinogenic qualities.
More on specific drugs
How do drugs affect a person?
Knowing what effects a drug has on the central nervous system does not tell us exactly how a drug will affect any one person. Effects depend on many factors including:
- How much of the drug is used and how often. Generally, the higher the quantity used, the greater the effect. Overdose occurs when the amount of the drug used exceeds the body's ability to cope with the drug.
- How the drug is used or administered. Generally, drugs that are injected or inhaled act very quickly and the effects are more intense. Snorting through the nose is the next fastest acting method of administration, while the effects of drugs eaten or swallowed take longer to occur.
- Physical characteristics of the person. Height, weight and gender also influence drug effects. The proportion of body fat, rate of metabolism, and stage of the menstrual cycle can all influence the intensity and duration of drug effects.
- Mood and environment of the person. How a person is feeling can have a significant impact on drug effects, as can the social setting of drug use. Users are more likely to enjoy the experience in a comfortable social atmosphere than in a threatening environment.
- Tolerance to the substance. The first time a person uses a drug, they have a very low tolerance and are likely to feel the effects very strongly. The more often the drug is used, generally the less intense the effects will be. This results in the need to take larger amounts to get the desired effect.
- Polydrug use (using more than one drug). Users often have a primary drug of choice, but will use one or more other drugs to increase or reduce the effects of the primary drug of choice or as a substitute. Combining drugs can increase or alter the usual effects, often in unpredictable ways.
What problems can drug use cause?
Most parents worry that their child will become dependent on drugs and become a "drug addict". It is common to hear alarming stories that give the impression that illegal drugs are instantly addictive and are the drugs that cause the most harm. No drug is instantly addictive and the greatest drug harms caused in our society come from the legal drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
Regardless of the drug used, there are many problems related to drug use such as:
- Family/relationship problems. Drug use may lead to conflict with family or friends. Family and friends may be very frustrated and concerned when they are manipulated or pressured for money or possessions, or when the person using drugs fails or refuses to recognise their drug use is causing problems.
- Work/school problems: Drug users may take increased sick days and unable to work properly.
- Accidents. Drug use may affect a person's ability to respond appropriately to a given situation, their ability to think clearly, their ability to maintain attention, and may cause physical symptoms such as blurred vision, cramps, and nausea. Such effects can increase the risks of car accidents, drownings, and reduce the ability to be able to safely cross roads.
- Legal problems. Each state has laws governing the manufacture, possession, distribution and use of drugs. The four main types of offences related to illegal drugs are: use, possession, cultivation and trafficking of drugs. Drug use may also lead to other legal concerns such as crimes committed in order to raise sufficient money to support ongoing drug use and violent assaults.
- Financial problems. The cost of maintaining ongoing drug use may mean that there is not enough money left to pay for a range of goods and services. This may include regular bills, food and clothing, even through to treats.
- Health problems. Tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs can all have serious health effects if used over a long period of time. Lifestyle changes such as poor eating habits and inadequate sleep can increase the chance of experiencing a variety of health complications. People who inject drugs are at risk of contracting hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).
Given that many young people will experiment with drugs it is important that they are equipped to get through this stage as safely as possible. Discussing with them the effects of drugs and the risks associated with drug use will help your child to make more informed decisions. It also helps if your child knows that you will be there to help them if they do end up in a dangerous or difficult situation.
Some parents choose to allow their teenager to drink while supervised so that they can gain experience with this drug in a safe environment.
Why do young people use drugs?
Most people use drugs to change how they feel because they want to feel better or different. They use drugs for the perceived benefits, or the benefits experienced, not for the potential harm.
Young people use drugs to relax, have fun and be part of a group. Peer pressure (the influence of drug-using friends) has often been used as an explanation as to why young people use drugs. While peer group activities do have some influence, peer pressure is not as strong an influence as was once thought. When asked, teenagers generally comment that they use alcohol or drugs because they choose to and not because of peer pressure.
Young people may also take drugs out of curiosity. Experimentation and taking risks are part of growing up. Sometimes young people use drugs to cope with problems, relieve stress or overcome boredom.
Many of the reasons young people use drugs are the same reasons adults use drugs.
What drugs do young people use?
Young people are more likely to use legal drugs such as alcohol, tobacco and painkillers, rather than illegal drugs.
A 2005 survey 1 of 4,552 secondary school students found:
- less than 50% had smoked tobacco at some stage in their lives;
- 94% had used pain relievers at some time in the past;
- over 70% had consumed alcohol by the age of 16;
- 18% had used cannabis ;
- 17% had deliberately sniffed inhalants, such as glue, paint, petrol at least once during their lives;
- 3% had used hallucinogens;
- 5% had used amphetamines ;
- 2% had used opiates, including heroin ;
- 3% had used cocaine ;
- 4% had used ecstasy .
1. Victorian Secondary Students use of licit and illcit substances 2005
How can I tell if my child is using drugs?
It is difficult to tell with any certainty that a child is using drugs. The effects of a drug vary greatly from person to person. Changes in a child's behaviour or moods may indicate drug use, however, any such changes may indicate an issue in the young person's life that is not drug-related.
Signs that appear to be uncharacteristic of your child may require your attention regardless of whether drugs are involved. These include:
- moods swings
- lethargy
- explosive outbursts
- minimal interaction with family
- trouble with the police
- changes in eating patterns
- frequent absences from school/work
- sudden changes of friends
- unexplained need for money
- declining school/work performance
- disappearing money and valuables
- impaired memory
- decrease in extra-curricular activities
- poor concentration
- withdrawing socially
How does my child gain access to drugs?
Even though it is illegal to sell alcohol and tobacco to young people under 18 years old, it does not appear to be difficult for young people to get them. Teenagers may lie about their age, use false proof of age identification or get an older friend to buy for them. Often it is easy just to take them from home.
Most inhalants are everyday products such as petrol, glue, and solvents, which are on open sale or currently in the home. Illegal drugs are a bit harder to obtain but friends may know where to buy them, or your child may be exposed to them at parties.
Drugs are relatively easy to access in our society. It is unrealistic to think you can shelter your child from exposure to drugs. However, you can prepare your child for this reality and equip them with strategies to deal with drugs such as providing them with an environment where they feel safe to talk about drugs.
Does smoking cannabis lead to other drugs?
Of all the illegal drugs, cannabis (marijuana) is the drug most often used by young people. The claim that cannabis use will lead to the use of "harder" drugs has been a major argument for sustaining the prohibition of cannabis since the mid 1960's. However, there is little evidence to support the notion that cannabis use leads to the use of other drugs. While it is true that most heroin users have also used alcohol, tobacco and cannabis, it is important to remember that most young people don't end up using heroin, amphetamines or any other illegal drug.
What is drug dependence?
There are degrees of dependency, from mild dependency to compulsive drug use (often referred to as addiction). It is impossible to say how long or how often a person must take a drug before they start to become dependent.
Dependence can be psychological or physical, or both.
People who are psychologically dependent on a drug feel compelled in certain, or in a number of different situations, to use a drug in order to function effectively, or to achieve emotional satisfaction.
Physical dependence is when a person's body adapts to a drug and becomes use to functioning with the drug present.
If a physically and/or psychologically dependent person suddenly stops taking the drug, they may experience withdrawal symptoms as their body readjusts to functioning without the drug.
Withdrawal symptoms are different for different types of drugs and for each person. There are numerous types of withdrawal symptoms that may be experienced. A person may experience physical and emotional symptoms such as depression, irritability, cramps, nausea, sweating and sleeping problems.
People who are physically dependent on a drug usually develop a tolerance to the drug. This means that they need to take more and more of the drug to get the same effect.
What can I do if I find out my child is using drugs?
Experimentation and taking risks are a natural part of growing up. Most drug use is experimental or recreational rather than dependent or problematic. As a parent, it can be difficult to determine the level of your child's drug use and to also make decisions regarding what levels are acceptable. Some parents may feel that not taking any amount of a drug is the only acceptable level of drug use, while others may feel that this would be unrealistic. There are a number of strategies that can assist in discussing issues relating to drug use.
AVOID PANICKING: Easier said than done, but over-reacting will make it much harder to find out exactly what is happening in your child's life.
BE INFORMED: Be prepared to discuss drug issues openly and honestly. Think about some of the questions your child may ask and find out the facts in advance. For more information contact your state/territory alcohol and drug information service.
Remember your child may know more about drugs and their effects than you do. If you tell exaggerated stories about the dangers of drug use to try and scare your children away from drugs, they may not listen to what you have to say in the future.
ESTABLISH SOME AGREEMENTS: It is useful to establish some agreements about acceptable behaviour in relation to alcohol and drugs. These can help protect your child from some of the risks of drug use. For example:
"I would hope you never drive if you've been drinking, or travel in a car with someone who has been drinking. I would be much happier if you stay over at a friend's house, take a taxi, or phone home so we can come and collect you."
Part of the agreement is that the parent will come without any fuss. All discussions should wait until the next day.
Try to keep to any commitments made.
PRIVACY: Think about consequences before acting. For example, is it worth searching your child's room if it means potentially losing their trust?
PROVIDE A GOOD ROLE MODEL: Drugs are very much a part of Australian life. Children are exposed to legal drugs such as alcohol and tobacco at a very early age. Parents and other adults are important role models. Children are very quick to spot double standards, for example being told that their drug use is wrong by a parent who drinks alcohol and smokes tobacco.
SEEK SUPPORT: If your child is regularly using a drug, support is available. This assistance is available for families, friends, drug users and others and includes professional counselling, parent support groups and telephone services offering counselling, advice and information.
There is no need to deal with drug issues alone.
For information, counselling, advice, services available and other assistance, contact your state drug and alcohol service.
Effective Communication
An important part of effectively addressing another person's drug use and the impact it is having involves communicating. Communication is a two-way process.
A large part of effective communication involves listening, not giving lectures or judging. A young person wants to know that they will be listened to and that you are open to hearing what they have to say. A young person who can discuss problems with his/her parents is less likely to use drugs to try and solve problems.
Use "I" statements instead of "you" statements
| Try |
instead of |
| "I'm really worried about…'' |
"You should…'' or "You must…'' |
| "I feel… when you…'' |
"Your problem is…'' |
| "I am concerned that…'' |
"You'd better… or else…'' |
Open questions allow your child to explore their thoughts and feelings without sounding like an interrogation. For example, ask your child for their thoughts on their drug use. Ask them if they see any problems or potential risks and how they think these can be addressed.
Listen carefully and actively without being judgmental. Allow and encourage your child to speak in full sentences and to finish what they have to say without interruption. After they have finished speaking, reflect back to them what you have understood they have said. For example, "So what you are saying is....". Allow them to clarify any misunderstandings.
Choose an appropriate time to talk. If your child is caught at a time when they are unprepared, they may be more inclined to react defensively. Also, try to remove any distractions, such as the telephone. Avoid important discussions about your child's drug use if they are under the influence of drugs.
Be clear and honest about your feelings. It is important that your child hears your concerns. Let your child know that it is not them as a person you don't approve of, but particular behaviour(s).
Negotiate. When all parties participate in setting guidelines, it is more likely that they will adhere to these guidelines. Work towards agreement on consequences should guidelines be broken. It is important that consequences are enforced.
Support and encourage positive behaviour. Avoid focusing only on negatives.
Drug Laws
Each state has laws governing the manufacture, possession, distribution and use of drugs, both legal and illegal. Drug laws in Australia distinguish between those who use drugs and those who supply or traffic drugs. The four main types of offences related to illegal drugs are: use, possession, cultivation, and trafficking:
Use includes smoking, inhaling fumes, injecting, ingesting or otherwise introducing a drug of dependence into a person's body (including someone else's body). Generally there is a lesser penalty for the use of cannabis compared to other drugs.
Possession is the most common offence. Possession means having control or custody of a drug. Knowledge of such possession must be proven in court. Possession applies both to drugs found on the person and on their property, if it is proven that the drugs belong to that person.
Cultivation is the act of sowing, planting, growing, tending, nurturing or harvesting a narcotic plant. Any of these activities constitute the offence of cultivation. If a person cultivates a "trafficable quantity" or intends to sell even a small quantity, it is likely that charges for possession, cultivation and trafficking will be laid.
Trafficking is a very serious offence. Trafficking includes preparation of a drug of dependence for trafficking; manufacturing a drug of dependence, or selling, exchanging, agreeing to sell, or offering for sale, or having in possession for sale, a drug of dependence. If this is done in commercial quantities, the penalties are extremely severe. Bail may be refused unless there are exceptional circumstances.