Alcohol

Alcohol is alcohol, whether it be a beer or a shot of vodka. Parents should not assume their children are "ok" if they are drinking a few beers just because it is not "hard liquor."

What to Look For:

Slurred speech
Disorientation
Sweating
Poor coordination
Smell of alcohol on clothing, breath
Strange mood (sudden change or unusual extreme for the individual)
Falsified identification (age changed)
Bottles saved as souvenirs
Signs your child has thrown up
Difficulty waking up in the morning (hangover)
Excessive thirst in the morning

If your child comes home from a party and appears to be intoxicated, it is generally best to deal with the consequences in the morning after they have slept off the effects. If the child comes home intoxicated and had the car for the evening, the keys should be taken away from them immediately and they should have driving privileges removed. Many states have zero-tolerance laws for underaged drinkers who drive. This means that any measurable amount of alcohol in the system will earn them a DUI and the serious consequences of that charge.

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"Adolescents are particularly at risk of adverse reactions from hallucinogen use as they enter puberty, a time of rapid physical and emotional changes. Hallucinogens are particularly dangerous because the effects are so unpredictable. They can cause violent behavior in some and suicidal tendencies in others. As memory, perception, and judgment are clouded under the influence, users are at risk of severe injuries, overdose, and death from drowning, burns, falls, and car accidents. Sometimes, hallucinogen use can uncover severe mental disorders, such as schizophrenia or severe depression." Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.