FOR PARENTS

Living-Life Drug-Free

Teen Refusal Skills (Works for Adults, too) 

Signs My Child May Be Using

Signs My Child May Be Using Drugs or Alcohol:

• Lack of energy, motivation
• Red eyes or using eye drops
• Grades dropping
• Skipping assignments, school, activities, work
• Change in appearance
• Excessive attempts to hide things
• Wanting to be alone more than usual
• Showing less concern about breaking curfew or rules
• Needing money
• Using strong amounts of perfume, potent lotion, body spray, etc.
• Strong smell of mints

Places where drugs can be concealed

• Backpacks and purses
• Makeup bags
• Belt buckles
• Lipsticks
• Cigarette packages
• Candy wrappers
• Baseball 
• Pills/vitamin containers

Information provided by the Drug Enforcement Agency, https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/family/signs-of-drug-use and https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/content/how-identify-drug-paraphernalia

How to Get Help

How to Help My Child

• Charlotte Behavioral Health Care: 24-Hour Crisis Line: 941-575-0222
• 1700 Education Ave. Punta Gorda, FL
• Web: https://www.cbhcfl.org
• Recovery Center/Detox: 941-347-6444
• Main Number: 941-639-8300
• Toll Free: 1-877-703-5267
• Compass Center Residential Treatment Program: 941-639-5535
• https://www.coastalbh.org/services/child/compass-center/index.html
• Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch: 800-765-3797
• Email: fsyr@youthranches.org
• Southwest Florida Counseling Center: 941-249-4354
• 1777 Tamiami Trail, Suite 201, Port Charlotte, FL
• Teen Group: Intake@SWFCC.net
• 941-249-4354 X1
• swfcc.net/request-appointment
• Teen Challenge: 
• https://teenchallengeusa.org/contact/
• Several locations in Florida: 417-581-2181
• Other Port Charlotte, FL Resources: 
  
• Charlotte County Legal Aid: 941-505-9007
• Charlotte County Health Department: 941-639-1181
• Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies: 941-627-6000 or https://carefl.org/
• Charlotte County Homeless Coalition: 941-627-4313
• https://cchomelesscoalition.org/
• Park Royal Behavioral Health Hospital: 1-855-564-0136
• https://www.parkroyalhospital.com
• Health and Human Services Information & Referral Line: 211 or 941-205-2161
• National Alliance on Mental Health, Port Charlotte Chapter
• https://gulfcoastpartnership.org/nami-support-groups-in-charlotte-county/

Resources

Additional Resources for Parents

• 2023 Charlotte County Resource Guide : https://charlotte.floridahealth.gov/CharlotteDocuments/_documents/CharlotteCountyResourceGuide.pdf 
• Center For Disease Control: www.healthypeople.gov 
• Partnership for Drug-Free Kids: https://drugfree.org/drug-guide/
• How to Talk to My Child: https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/content/talking-your-child-when-you-suspect-drug-use
• Social Media, Understanding a Teen’s World: https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/family/drug-use-internet-social-media
• Why do Teen’s Use Drugs? https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/family/why-do-teens-use-drugs
• Tips to Keep My Kid off Drugs: https://www.dea.gov/tips-keep-your-kids-drugs
• United States Drug Enforcement Administration: www.dea.gov
• Get Smart About Drugs: www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com
• National Institute on Drug Abuse: www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/prevention
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: www.niaaa.nih.gov
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: www.samhsa.gov/prevention