*CATCH IT EARLY: WARNING SIGNS OF DRUG USE PARENTS SHOULD KNOW*, *EVERY CHILD CAN BE SAVED FROM ADDICTION WITH CARE, COMPASSION AND CONVERSATION: DR. BALBIR SINGH*, *BE THEIR SAFE PLACE, SO DRUGS NEVER BECOME THEIR ESCAPE: DR ISHAAN PRAKASH, ISHAAN PRAKASH (NODAL PSYCHIATRIST, SANGRUR)*
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Under the Bhagwant Mann government’s ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’, the focus is widening from cutting off the drug supply to also catching vulnerability early. The state is working towards providing young people with help before occasional or experimental use turns into dependence or addiction. The question being asked of parents is a simple one: are there signs family members can watch out for to intervene early and prevent the child from falling into addiction? Experts say there are.
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh puts it plainly: “Every child can be saved from addiction with care, compassion and conversation. As families, caregivers, and society, we must keep our eyes, ears and hearts open.” He adds, “If you find some concerning changes in someone close to you, then pay attention and respond with empathy.”
*Identifying early signs*
Addiction does not announce itself with dramatic warning signs. It tends to arrive quietly, for example, a behaviour change, old friends replaced by new ones, a secretive circle, hours spent locked away in the bathroom or a bolted room, or a sudden loss of interest in hobbies that once meant everything.
When asked, you might notice behavioural changes such as bouts of anger, emotional outbursts, etc. There may be repeated complaints from school or teachers. Sleep offers another clue. Staying awake through the night, sleeping at unusual hours, or a sudden change in routine can signal that something is wrong. Another sign is unexplained demand for money with no clear account of where it has gone or, in some cases, cash missing at home.
Neglect of appearance and hygiene, reduced appetite or weight loss, and shifts in eating habits can be other warning signs. There are physical signs too. Red or glazed eyes, unusual pupil size, drowsiness or frequent tiredness, agitation, tremors, slurred speech, poor coordination, repeated bruising, or, in more severe cases, injection marks.
However, experts caution that no single sign alone can establish drug abuse. A teenager staying up late once in a while is normal, but if someone is consistently withdrawn, secretive, or indifferent to his surroundings, and defensive at the smallest question is showing a pattern, and that’s when parents should seek help.
“One of the biggest mistakes families make is to play a waiting game before seeking help. You do not need proof that a child is using drugs to start a conversation or consult a professional. In our society, where many parents fear stigma or worry about ‘what people will say’, this hesitation can delay support. It is always better to seek guidance early than to wait until a young person is already in serious difficulty,” says Dr. Ishaan Prakash, District Nodal Psychiatrist, Sangrur. “A caring parent is the first line of defence against addiction. Be their safe place, so drugs never become their escape.”
Interventions
Once a pattern is noticed, how a parent responds matters as much as the noticing itself. Instead of lectures, open-ended questions, a calm and neutral tone, and genuinely listening to the child’s perspective is the way to go. A check-in as simple as, “We feel something has been bothering you; do you want to share what is going on at school these days?” can open more doors than a direct accusation ever could.
If a parent finds out that the child is into drug abuse, the instinct to react strongly is natural but often counterproductive. An emotionally charged confrontation tends to push a child further into secrecy. The recommended approach is to pause, then have a private, calm conversation aimed at understanding what is driving the behaviour. If substance abuse is suspected or disclosed, parents should avoid shaming, threatening, labelling or responding solely by punishment, as these approaches may discourage the child from seeking help. Instead, parents should listen carefully, communicate concern, and work collaboratively with the child to identify suitable support.
If you are worried about your child, or simply don’t know where to start, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Families can reach out to the Tele-MANAS helpline at 1800-89-14416 for confidential, expert guidance.
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