Getting Informed

Learn about Alcohol, Tobacco and Illicit Drugs

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As our children grow, they become more curious about the world around them. They start to ask us more and more complicated questions. Many of us have had to answer questions like: “Why does a chicken come from an egg?” “Why does the moon come out at night?” and “Why are there stars?” Our children ask questions because they need and want to learn, know and understand everything they see and experience.

It’s not easy to satisfy this curiosity when questions are about topics that are difficult for us to approach.

There are a number of reasons this is difficult. One of them is our limited knowledge about issues and consequences related to drug and alcohol use. In our families, we didn’t talk about such things because they were considered taboo. Nevertheless, sooner or later, we will have to deal with these issues, and we must be ready. That’s why we need to become more knowledgeable about drugs and alcohol. If we don’t have suitable answers to our children’s questions we might feel embarrassed or anxious.

Being prepared means having basic knowledge about the subject and keeping yourself informed. When our children ask questions we can’t answer, we shouldn’t be embarrassed. Parents don’t have to know everything. We can, however, take advantage of the opportunity to have meaningful conversations about these concerns, by inviting our children to work with us to find answers to their questions. This way we all learn.

This link includes a table with basic information about the drugs that Hispanic/Latino youth use most often. This chart will help you learn which drugs these are, the names by which they are known, and their short- and long-term effects.

Generally, an individual who uses drugs shows obvious changes in his/her behavior. Therefore, we must learn to recognize symptoms related to the use of alcohol, cigarettes, and illegal drugs. If we know how to recognize changes in our children’s behavior, we can help them before it’s too late. There are warning signs that tell us if something unusual is happening to our children. To help you get started, below is a questionnaire about changes in children’s behavior. Based on what you have observed in your children, answer “yes” or “no.”

1. Does he/she show obvious changes in his/her disposition?
2. Does he/she lie and avoid talking about his/her activities?
3. Have his/her grades in school dropped? Does he/she attend school less often?
4. Are there times when he/she is in a bad mood or suddenly feeling depressed?
5. Does he/she ignore rules at home or at school?
6. Does he/she have problems with family relationships and/or friendships?
7. Has he/she lost interest in his/her favorite activities or sports?
8. Has he/she developed an excessive need for privacy?
9. Does he/she ask to borrow money from relatives or friends for no apparent reason?
10. Does he/she spend money on things you don’t know about?
11. Is he/she stealing anything at home or at school?
12. Have his/her eating and sleeping habits changed?
13. Has he/she lost interest in the way he looks?
14. Does he/she often have red or watery eyes?
15. Does he/she have new friends who smoke cigarettes or use alcohol?
16. Does he/she seem uncoordinated? Does his/her clothing or breath smell strange?
17. Does he/she seem unmotivated, and lethargic and have low self-esteem?

If the answer to several of these questions is “yes,” your youngster probably needs help. He/she may be feeling anxious, may want to attract attention, or maybe has already begun to use illegal drugs or alcohol. It’s very important to stay calm and seek professional help so you can handle the situation effectively and help your child deal with these problems.