“I never would have thought she’d take anything – never in a million years.” That’s what the mother of a 17-year-old Woodbury teenager said after her child passed away in 2014 from a drug overdose. The teen fell victim to the growing synthetic drug problem that has infiltrated several Minnesota communities and the rest of the United States.
The Woodbury native tried a synthetic drug commonly known as “N-Bomb.” The synthetic hallucinogen is sold as a substitute for LSD. Unfortunately, it’s much more potent. Today, the mother of the late teenager warns local Minnesota parents to pay close attention to their loved ones.
Signs of chemical dependency
Do you think your child is immune to alcohol and drugs? You might be surprised. The teenage years are clouded with significant social pressures. The product of such is experimentation, infatuation and exploration of dangerous practices. Now, couple that with the widespread availability of different drugs that teenagers can often access with greater ease than alcohol.
If you suspect your kid is chemically dependent, look for the signs. Do not wait to intervene as a parent. The most common symptoms of adolescent drug use are as follows:
- Bloodshot eyes and enlarged pupils.
- Frequent nosebleeds.
- Changes in sleeping patterns.
- Changes in appetite.
- Rapid weight loss or weight gain.
- Seizures (with no history of epilepsy).
- A reduction in hygiene or grooming patterns.
- Impaired coordination.
- Mysterious injuries or bruises on the body.
- Shakes, odd speech patterns, tremors and impaired coordination.
These are just a few indicators of drug use among teenage children. Any sort of irregularities in behavior should be addressed or examined.
If you know that your child is suffering from drug abuse, the best thing to do is to secure help. Many local programs can successfully assist with chemical dependency issues. Even if the drug abuse has escalated to the legal level, help is available. It is not too late.
Controlled substance law is highly technical and complex. Many people don’t realize that having even one pill without a prescription in their possession can lead to felony charges.
If you need help, seek assistance from a local criminal defense attorney. Don’t attempt to confront the complexities of the court system alone. You will need the resources to set your child’s life on track as you deal with this intimidating process. A local advocate can help navigate you and your teenager through the criminal justice system and additionally ensure that your loved one receives the help he or she needs.