Kids on drugs: What to do?
Suspect your kid is using drugs?
Carrie Kulinski, the Janesville School District’s coordinator of drug programs and a longtime drug-abuse counselor, recommends a four-step approach.
The first thing to do is get educated, Kulinski said.
Maybe your clue is an empty pill bottle or a paper bag with rags in it in his room. Maybe it’s a smoking pipe on the floor of her car. If you don’t know what those things mean or the dangers involved, find out. See the list of resources accompanying this article.
Step 2: Talk to your kids.
“Parents are sometimes afraid that they will push their child away by talking to them about drug use,” Kulinski said. “The important thing to remember is that it is never too early or too late to take action …
“Parents are the most important part of a kid’s life,” said Kulinski, who works with students who are struggling with drug abuse every day. “Your actions on their behalf can make a difference.”
Kulinski said the conversation should not take place when the parent is upset or rushed for time.
“This isn’t an easy conversation. You may have feelings of anger or guilt, or you may feel you have failed because your kid is using. This isn’t true,” Kulinski said.
“Tell your child what you have seen and how you feel about it. Be specific about the things you have observed,” Kulinski said.
Step 3: Set clear rules.
“For example: ‘In this family, we don’t smoke marijuana,’” Kulinski said.
Then make it clear that you will enforce those rules.
Step 4: If you have uncovered a drug or drinking problem, contact a school counselor or drug-counseling professional.
“The most important thing is for you to take action,” Kulinski said. “Look for community resources such as a counseling agency that can conduct an adolescent alcohol and drug assessment.”
Parents should not doubt the influence they have on their kids, Kulinski said. Research—including surveys of teens—has shown repeatedly that parents are the most influential people in teens’ lives.
“Most kids say, ‘That’s why I don’t use drugs, because I don’t want to lost the trust and respect of my parents,’” Kulinski said.
“Take action to stop (drug use) as soon as you can,” Kulinski added. “It may be the most important step you ever take.”
Drug resources
Tips for learning
Information about drug abuse is readily available on the Internet or at the public library. Resources include:
-- Call the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, 1-800-788-2800, and then press 2 and ask for the free pamphlets and fact sheets. Information can be mailed in a plain envelope if you request it.
-- Contact a school counselor or school district coordinator for alcohol and other drugs of abuse (AODA).
Tips for talking
Teen drug-abuse expert Carrie Kulinski has these thoughts about having The Drug Talk with your kid:
-- Don’t make it an interrogation. Don’t threaten. Try instead to connect.
-- Tell your kids you love them and that you are worried they may be using drugs or alcohol.
-- Remind them that substance abuse can have serious consequences.
-- Tell them you feel concerned about them when they use drugs and that you want to keep them safe.
-- Don’t forget you are also there to listen to them.
-- Tell them you want them to be a part of the solution.
-- Tell them what you will do to help them.
-- Be prepared for denial. Don’t expect them to admit they have a problem.
-- After the talk, don’t give up. Keep lines of communication open.
Professional help
Here are some organizations that can provide drug assessments and/or counseling:
-- Crossroads Counseling Center, Janesville, (608) 755-5260.
-- Genesis Counseling Services, Janesville, (608) 757-0404.
-- Janesville Psychiatric Clinic, (608) 755-1475.
-- Mercy Options, (608) 756-5555.
-- Rosecrance, Rockford, Ill., (815) 399-5351.
Jun 2, 2010 at 7:24 p.m.
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what a bunch of idiots!
Mar 3, 2010 at 12:56 p.m.
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Tell them that two of the most successful businessmen of all time, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, were both tokers, and they can buy your city just to call it "shove it"
Mar 3, 2010 at 12:55 p.m.
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Nothing I like more than sparking one up in the great outdoors.
Feb 8, 2010 at 12:33 p.m.
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Of Course DiGriz, Because all us Harley Riders are Drug Addicts with fat ugly pregnant girlfriends, So lemme tally up.. You Hate Christians and Bikers as well.. You better hope the next Christian Biker you run into lives the "Turn the other cheek" idea.. Why don't you test that out the next time you see a Soldier for Jesus MC member or Biker for Christ or any of the others out there..
Feb 7, 2010 at 6:52 p.m.
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good statement carlitosway and i also agree with proud fighter, some kids need a good mentor and need to know the ways of the outdoors. get them away from video games and fast food, get them a little exercise and away from boredom as mother nature intended. learn to live off the land. what will they do when there are no more grocery stores and we have to go back to hunter gathering???????
Feb 7, 2010 at 3:18 p.m.
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Take them hunting and fishing. Teach them the ways of the outdoors.
Feb 7, 2010 at 12:43 p.m.
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Step 5: Take them around town and show them all the druggies you went to high school with that now live in a trailer, piece of crap house, or van down by the river. Then tell them that this is what they will be like in 10-20 years.
Feb 7, 2010 at 12:06 p.m.
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“Most kids say, ‘That’s why I don’t use drugs, because I don’t want to lost the trust and respect of my parents,’” Kulinski said. Wow, and this from the Gazette? I think they need a proof reader and I need a job! Find me one teenager that will say this and I will give them a medal and a cookie!!! Sorry, but this statement maybe pertains to 2% of teenagers. I worked in the middle and high schools doing in-school suspension and most of the time, even in middle school, those kids were high or drunk. I got afraid in high school because those kids were bigger than me and mean! To this day, I cannot open the Gazette without seeing one of their names in the arrest records. Sad, but true. I knew all the kids at the middle school by name because I also worked in the library. I had these kids from middle school also in suspension in high school. The only way for them to stop is for something drastic to happen to them or a friend. We see it all the time in the articles in the Gazette. I grew up breathing just oxygen, too, and I consider myself semi-normal! JMO
Feb 7, 2010 at 10:57 a.m.
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I grew up breathing oxygen and never found the need for drugs.
Feb 7, 2010 at 7:37 a.m.
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How about a good old fashioned swift kick in the rear for making dumb decisions....
Feb 7, 2010 at 12:03 a.m.
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add pill crushers, blunt wrappers, flavored cigars,tin foil pipes, cut straws or the bic pen shafts cut in half for snorting, for smoking crack the metal pen barrels work good also, burnt spoons for H.there are so many new (old)things they use and it isn't the few that were in article. look for baggies in bulk and little dub bags. Just a heads up as to the reality that younger kids are doing bigger drugs and not just weed and huffing. But this is a start for some that have the suspicion You can try to talk but remember the denial or fear of disappointing you will possibly keep them from being honest with the parent Sometimes having a close friend who they trust talk to them is a good thing as they may open up to them knowing the friend will break it to you and help to open that door for the parent. Been there with my kids and some family members and it is hard for the parent to see the truth and believe the truth, parents are more apt to say "oh I know my kid wouldn't do drugs". just my opinion
Feb 6, 2010 at 7:55 p.m.
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as a former aoda level 5 and 6 drug and alcohol facilitator and program designer. also a former child and young adult drug user. i wouldnt use all these steps. every case is individual. most professional counslers are not former users and really dont have the experience to really deal with these cases. some kids it takes different methods. you have to know your kids to help them and that starts from birth all the way to when they get to this point in life.
Feb 6, 2010 at 6:38 p.m.
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they are just now finding out how many high school kids smoke marijuana? i bet half of my graduating class smoked daily...
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