As a parent, it's your duty to protect your teen from substances that could affect his performance in school and hurt him in the long run. Pot is a drug that can lead your teen down the wrong pathways, ruining his motivation and causing him to lose focus on what's important. Besides being illegal, pot use can put your teen in harm's way, causing him to become unresponsive, dazed and unable to make wise choices while under the influence. Watch for signs your child is smoking pot so that you can confront the problem head-on.
Step 1
Watch for signs of a change in behavior, like slipping grades at school or a history of absenteeism suddenly, says Educating Parents.com. Because of the way pot alters your child's motivation, she'll likely stop caring about school and missing class to get high with her new friends. Call your child's school and ask for a report of recent attendance or a mid-term report on grades to be sure.
Step 2
Evaluate your child's recent spending habits. The cost of pot varies, but a child smoking pot may be asking to borrow money more often than usual. You may also notice a change in his spending habits altogether; your son who previously was money conscientious suddenly has a zero balance in his bank account.
Step 3
Look for drug paraphernalia in your child's room. Some items to keep an eye out are pipes, which can often be disguised as household items, notes TeensWithProblems.com, small bags filled with a substance that looks like an herb and rolling papers. Your teen likely won't leave these out in the open; check in drawers, closets or under her bed.
Step 4
Watch for signs that your child is high. Red eyes, dizziness, giggly behavior and sudden hunger are all signs that your child is currently using pot, as they are all side effects of the drug, says the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Step 5
Evaluate a sudden interest and need for deodorizers, perfumes and fragrances that your child may be using to cover up the especially pungent odor of pot. Smell clothes for the scent of pot as well; you'll find that it smells sweet and earthy. Your child might also be using strong mouthwash, says The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign.
