Signs and symptoms of teens on drugs will be the topic of a discussion Thursday, November 29, at a meeting held at the Action Family Zone Teen Center beginning at 6 p.m. Our substance abuse exerts, local teens in recovery, will share their personal stories and address what every family needs to know about drugs in the Santa Clarita Valley. Local teens will discuss where they get their drugs and from whom, what do their drugs of choice look like and what do they do to their bodies and minds, where they hide their drugs, and what are the tattletale signs of drug use.
The evening will also host a local SCV resource fair that will provide educational services for those dealing with the tough drug use they are facing in their own homes with their teens.
There’s so much to learn and understand about teen drug use. And even if parents are willing to acknowledge their teen’s drug use, they are often in denial and say “not my kid.” Some parents think it’s an experimental phase their teen is going through and feel they can look the other way, this too will pass. For others, the thought that their teen may be using drugs and alcohol is so painful, they don’t know what to do and look the other way.
But parents don’t realize that drug and alcohol dependency may be psychological or both psychological and physical. A psychological dependence can be very powerful and difficult to overcome. It is based on a desire to continue taking a drug to induce pleasure or to relieve tension and avoid discomfort. And the results can include resistance to discipline, stealing, poor concentration and short-term memory, loss of motivation and interest in regular activities and a lack of concern for appearance or hygiene.
The goal of the SCV Teens Tell It Like It Is forum, is to help parents identify drug problems as soon as possible, making it easier to combat. Our teen experts will be the first to tell you, if you suspect that your teen is using drugs most likely they are.
The SCV Teens Tell It Like It Is event will be hosted at the Action Family Zone Teen Center located at 20655 Soledad Canyon Road, Unit 24 in Santa Clarita. For further information call 661-297-8691.