When parents first find out their child whom they presumed to be innocent is doing drugs, most parents freak out. The first thing you must do is to remain calm. Don't lose your head. Be sensible in how you handle this issue since it is so very important to your relationship and communication with your teen.

If this is the first time, ask the teen the usual questions only after telling them how upset you are and worried about his welfare. Then ask the why's, how, when he started, and how much he is doing. Give them a chance to talk to you calmly and without yelling and shouting. Tell them in no uncertain terms that drugs are not to be used, period. Let them know why you feel this way, pointing out all the health, physical and mental, concerns. Tell them about the consequences of using drugs citing the legal ramifications as well as the damage they do to the brain.

Sometimes that argument is a good one since most teens have plans. The fact that frequent use of pot at such a young age may affect the wiring of the brain is really a good card to play. This can mean the difference between failure and success at academics, sports, relationships etc. Many drugs also have detrimental effects on the sex life, which is very important to teens. Wish it weren't so.

Focus on the why a teen is using. Is it peer pressure, does he just like the 'buzz', is he trying to fit in, escape from problems, or does he just enjoy living on the edge and this is one part of it. Knowing why a teen is doing drugs will help decide what steps to take.

If this is not the first time your teen has done drugs and is caught, you should be a lot harder when dealing with them. The consequences must be more severe with the information that if this doesn't stop, they will be sent to treatment. I realize sometimes this threat is empty since treatment is tough to get into and very expensive. But many, kids do not know that. I also would threaten to take random drug tests. Parents can do this.

Whatever you do, don't let the teen off the hook. Experimentation with drugs by teens is very likely, but continuing to do drugs can affect so many parts of their lives and can be so detrimental to their health, that it must be stopped at any cost. If you find nothing else works, report your teen for possession of drugs. Dispose of drugs your teen has around as soon as you find them. Recommend a search of your child's school locker. Get them into a treatment program as soon as possible. Limit the amount of cash your teen has (to purchase drugs). Take a frequent inventory of their more valuable possessions to determine if they sold anything. Educate yourself on the signs and symptoms of drug use and keep up with the newer, designer drugs. Look for signs of drug abuse, but do not get paranoid about this unless you have a reason to suspect your teen.

Try hard to cushion every tough action you must do to save your kids from drugs with the love and understanding that comes from unconditional love. Unconditional love means you love the child no matter what, but that does not mean you condone dangerous behavior.

Credits: Jo Ann Wentzel