Tips for Parents
Safety and education start at home. Don’t let prescription drug misuse affect your family — take action today.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Educate Yourself —Understand the signs and symptoms of prescription drug misuse and illegal drug use.
- Talk To Your Child — An honest conversation may prevent a potential substance use disorder.
- Be Prepared — If someone in your family is prescribed an opioid, make sure you have Naloxone on hand.
- Store Safe — Safe storage keeps prescription medications out of the wrong hands.
- Take Inventory — Keep a close watch on your supply of prescriptions and watch for any changes.
- Participate in Maine’s Drug Take Back Program — Drug Take Back is the safest way to get rid of unwanted prescription medications.
- Monitor Online Activity — Look out for suspicious websites and forums that may relate to drug use or buying.
- Be a Positive Role Model — By making healthy, responsible decisions around substance use, you help set positive example.
- Communicate Daily – Keep in mind that teens say that when it comes to drugs and alcohol, their parents are the most important influence. That’s why it’s important to talk and listen to your teen. So, try to talk. A lot.
- Talk About Drugs Early On – It’s important to not wait until teenagers can drive before starting to talk about drugs. You can start promoting healthy decision-making as soon as preschool. If your child is young, start talking about how health is important and how what we put in our bodies has a big impact on things.
Signs Your Child Might Be Using:
- Makes a lot of excuses or has been lying to you
- Has a hard time thinking or focusing
- Loss of interest in hobbies or activities
- Changes in mood or attitude
- Late or absent to school and events
- Increased weight loss or increased weight gain
- Decline in school performance
- Changes in behavior, including: anxious, paranoia, irritability
- Gives up or withdraws from long-time friend
- Always eating or has the munchies
If you have unwanted, unused, or expired medications that you would like to dispose of safely, you can find a drug take back location near you.
If you or someone you know is ready to stop using drugs, call 211 today. You can also text your zip code to 898-211 (TXT-211) to be connected with a friendly Maine-based Specialist.
We all must open our eyes. Treatment is available. Recovery is possible. Get help today.
- Has blurry, red-eyes
- Keeps eye-drop bottles around
- Spends more money than usual
- Changes in their relationships with family or friends
- Acts confused
- Avoids eye contact
- Goes out every night, even during the school week
- Unexplained giggling, clumsiness and lack of coordination
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Start of secretive behavior, including: locking doors, disappearing for extended periods of time, stealing
FIND LOCAL RESOURCES
If you’ve decided you need help, there are places you can turn. Visit https://findtreatment.gov/ to get started.
Help is available, free and confidential — Call or Text 211 Today
When You CALL 211
After you CALL 211, select option “6” to access the Opiate Helpline. A Maine-based specialist will refer you to a provider who can help. A specialist will answer your questions to the best of their abilities. You will receive encouragement and support to help you or a loved one.
When you TEXT your zip code to 898-211
After you TEXT your zip code to 898-211, you are automatically connected with a Maine-based specialist. The specialists will text you back asking what services you are looking for and provide you referrals as close to where you live as possible.