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NIDA Home > Publications > Marijuana Brochure > Facts Parents Need to Know > Page 7-8   



Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know

Fact: Research shows that nearly 50 percent of teenagers try marijuana before they graduate from high school.Q: How can I tell if my child has been using marijuana?

A: There are some signs you might be able to see. If someone is high on marijuana, he or she might:

  • seem dizzy and have trouble walking;
  • seem silly and giggly for no reason;
  • have very red, bloodshot eyes; and
  • have a hard time remembering things that just happened.

When the early effects fade, the user can become very sleepy.

Parents should be aware of changes in their child’s behavior, although this may be difficult with teens. Parents should look for withdrawal, depression, fatigue, carelessness with grooming, hostility, and deteriorating relationships with family members and friends. In addition, changes in academic performance, increased absenteeism or truancy, lost interest in sports or other favorite activities, and changes in eating or sleeping habits could be related to drug use. However, these signs may also indicate problems other than use of drugs.

In addition, parents should be aware of:

  • signs of drugs and drug paraphernalia, including pipes
    and rolling papers;
  • odor on clothes and in the bedroom;
  • use of incense and other deodorizers;
  • use of eye drops; and
  • clothing, posters, jewelry, etc., promoting drug use.


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Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know

Marijuana: Facts for Teens (Revised)

La marihuana - Información para los adolescentes (Versión Revisada)

Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know (Revised)

La marihuana: Lo que los padres deben saber (Versión Revisada)

These publications may be reprinted without permission.



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