Many parents whose children die from abusing inhalants are shocked. Though it's a form of substance abuse actively practiced by a high percentage of teens (over 50 percent admit having used inhalants by the 12th grade), many parents are unaware of the dangers.

"All of us who have lost a child to this form of substance abuse hope that every parent will learn of and use the tools to warn their children about this deadly high. Children naturally think that 'if it's in the house, it can't be dangerous.' But inhaling can kill..."

Inhalant abuse also can cause organ damage and is highly addictive. Parents who talk to their child about drugs and substance abuse need to include the dangers of inhalants in their conversations. Every child who is not warned is at risk. Read more at WashingtonPost.com.

Labels: drug_abuse, drug_use, involvement

In a speech given to parents and teens at the Red Ribbon kick-off, Juvenile Court Judge Kimberly Corsaro stated that most of the teens that appear in her courtroom for drug-related issues have significant family issues which are directly related to the teen's substance abuse.

"She told of a troubled youth who actually told her he preferred to stay in the county juvenile detention center than go home to his parents who seem to always be fighting. The impotence the child felt against the problems his mother and father have was enough to want him to opt for a cell with a concrete floor and no privacy even to go to the bathroom."

Parents should look for warning signs of drug use, and act as soon as they suspect something isn't right. The sooner the problem is discovered, the more quickly a teen can get help.

Worried that your child is headed down the wrong path? Find a private school and other programs for troubled teens at 4TroubledTeens.com.

Labels: influences, involvement, signs