If you or someone you know is struggling with a drug or alcohol problem, help is available! You have options, including counselors, doctors, and in-patient treatment centers. Reaching out for help is the most important first step.
Signs of a Substance Use Problem or Addiction
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
- Deterioration of personal hygiene or appearance
- Frequent, unexplained bruises or other injuries
- Skipping class or declining grades
- Sudden change in relationships and friends
- Missing money / stealing
- Sudden mood changes – irritability or outbursts
- Appearing withdrawn, anxious or paranoid
Resources
- Common Places Your Teen Could be Hiding Drugs https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/content/hiding-places
- Identifying Drugs https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/drugs
- How to Identify Drug Paraphernalia https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/content/how-identify-drug-paraphernalia
- Talking to Your Child When You Suspect Drug Use https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/family/talking-to-your-child-when-you-suspect-drug-use
- Parent Talk Kit – http://drugfree.org/article/talk-with-your-kids/
- Text Messaging: Lost in Translation (video) https://www.dea.gov/media.shtml (scroll down under featured videos to get link for video)
- Signs of Drug Use https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/family/signs-of-drug-use
- Consequences https://www.justthinktwice.gov/consequences
- What’s Happening at Your Child’s School https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/family/whats-happening-in-your-childs-school
- True Stories https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/consequences/true-stories
- How Drug Alter Brain Development and Affect Teens https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/consequences/how-drugs-alter-brain-development-and-affect-teens
- Federal Student Aid and Consequences of a Drug Conviction https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/consequences/federal-student-aid-and-drug-use
- Drugged Driving – What You Should Know https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/family/drugged-driving–what-you-should-know
Facts and Stats https://www.justthinktwice.gov/facts
TIPS FOR PARENTS – TEEN PARTIES
- Know the facts
- Tips for when your teen hosts a party
- Tips for when your teen attends a part
- Legal, health, and safety issues
- Party tips
- What to do if there’s been a party in your home
- What to do if you’re going to be out of town
- What to do if your teen is going to a party
- Texting tips – tips for texting your teen during parties
- Before and during the event
- Early evening
- Late evening
VIDEOS
Other Quick Links
Get Help with Substance Use, Problem Gambling, or Mental Health
Need Help Talking to Your Child About Drug Prevention
Drug Free Northern Michigan
The Medicine Abuse Project/Partnership for Drug-Free Kids
– Parent Drug Guide
– Prevention Tips for Every Age
– How to Address Underage Drinking
– How to Talk About Marijuana
– All About the Teen Years
– Tips for Talking and What to Say to Prevent Medicine Abuse
– How Does Prescription Medicine Abuse Lead to Heroin Use?
Talk. They Hear You.
Get Smart About Drugs
National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Prescription Drugs
Marijuana
Marijuana Fact SheetMarijuana InformationPreventing Marijuana Use Among Youth and Young AdultsThe Negative Health Effects of Marijuana Use
Marijuana Concentrates
What You Should Know About Marijuana Concentrates/Honey Butane OilThe Facts About Marijuana Concentrates
Publications (Marijuana)
April 14, 2017 Regularly Using Marijuana as a Teen Slows Brain DevelopmentApril 26, 2017 Teens Tend to Think Marijuana Use is No Big Deal, But They’re Wrong
Synthetic Drugs/Emerging Drugs
About Synthetic DrugsDEA Consumer AlertK2/Synthetic Marijuana K2/Spice Fact SheetBath Salts Fact SheetFlakka Fact SheetPink/U-47700 Fact SheetCarfentanil Fact SheetGray Death Fact Sheet
Heroin
Heroin Fact Sheet
Cocaine
Cocaine Fact Sheet
Inhalants
Inhalant Fact Sheet
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine Fact Sheet
Ecstasy/MDMA
Ecstasy/MDMA Fact Sheet
Amphetamines
Amphetamines Fact Sheet
Take Back Your Meds
Disposing of your medicines at a local pharmacy or law enforcement office can help prevent prescription drug abuse. By properly disposing unused, unwanted, or expired medications you can ensure medicines will not be stolen from the garbage, will not enter our environment, and prevent abuse and overdoses at home.
Prescription Drug Disposal Locations
Prime for Life
Prime for Life is a highly effective program designed to help youth and young adults reduce high risk choices in regards to drugs and alcohol. This program addresses participants current beliefs, attitudes, perceptions of risk, and motivators. This program is available at no cost to Mason and Oceana County residents ages 12-25.
Program Participants:
- Age 12-25
- Suspected of using drugs or alcohol
- Making high risk choices that could lead to drug use
- First time DUI or MIP charge
- Experiencing other legal issues related to drug use
For more information, contact the following DHD#10 Health Educators:
- Mason – Katie Miller (231) 316-8567
- Oceana – Kortni Garcia (231) 902-8539
Mobilizing Michigan: Protecting Our Kids from Marijuana
Mobilizing Michigan is a research-based campaign to educate all sectors of the community about the dangers of youth marijuana use.
There’s much talk about medical marijuana and legalization of marijuana for “recreational” use, however, there seems to be very little focus on the many negative consequences of youth use.
Let’s start the conversation in our communities.
To learn more about Mobilizing Michigan: Protecting Our Kids From Marijuana or to schedule an educational presentation in Wexford or Missaukee Counties, contact Angie Gullekson at 231-876-3813 or agullekson@dhd10.org.
School Personnel
Below is an infographic that you may find informative and useful.
Parents/Grandparents
Below are some resources to help you learn more about youth and marijuana.
Let’s Look at the Research
Parents – Talk to Your Children About Marijuana
The Truth About Marijuana and School Achievement
Clearing the Smoke About Marijuana