Few parents are surprised to hear that drug use is common among teenagers. Anti-drug programs and ad campaigns are prevalent in our society. What parents may not know is that the damage caused by drug use goes beyond the physical, and can also effect a teen's emotional development.

"The collective waste and damage this behavior does to our young people is overwhelming in its scope. Because drinking and drugging impair one's judgment, they lead to accidents, date rape, mental health issues, loss of motivation, and even death. And if a young person is lucky enough to escape all of these, how is he to develop a healthy emotional life full of courage, stamina and joy if so many emotions along the way were never experienced because they were masked?"

It's important for parents to stay informed, and not be afraid to ask their teens hard questions about the people they hang with and the things they do. Read more at StarGazette.com.

Learn to recognize the signs of drug and alcohol abuse in teens so yo can quickly intervene and help your teenager before the problem progress into full-blown addiction. Visit ByParents-forParents.com.

Labels: emotional_development, personal_growth, signs