Substance abuse of any kind is dangerous. And it's a problem that affects people of all ages, and all backgrounds.

A person's choice of abused substances is often determined by age, economics, social or ethnic groups, peer pressure and other personal and societal factors. Cocaine abuse, for example, is associated more with adults because of its high cost ($100 per gram), and "sniffing fumes" (solvent abuse) is more common in young teens and poverty-stricken adults, because it's basically cheap and readily available around the home.

But while it's important to watch for the signs of abuse, you also have to remember that some of those listed may also be indicative of normal behavior variability or health problems. In other words, SIGNS ARE NOT PROOF. CONCLUSIONS SHOULD BE BASED ON FACTS, NOT ON ASSUMPTIONS.

We hope this information will help you recognize persons using illicit drugs or abusing illicit substances so that they can be helped.

In situations in which you lack experience regarding drug abuse detection and treatment, but where signs and symptoms seem obvious, it is advisable to bring your observations to the attention of an appropriate person such as a school nurse or counselor, employee assistance or personnel liaison, or in the case of an elderly person, the attending physician. Experts in the area of substance abuse treatment recommend that PARENTS SHOULD BE VERY FRANK BUT NOT ACCUSATORY IN DISCUSSING AND QUESTIONING ADOLESCENTS ABOUT SUSPECTED SUBSTANCE ABUSE.