The Mom Column

I have to say this really shocked me.  Teen heroin use and teen deaths from heroin use are on the rise, experts say.  Dealers are making heroin cheaper and more powerful.  Experts say a small bag of heroin is usually less expensive than buying a six pack of beer.  Some teenagers are saying that they don't think they can get addicted because they believe it is less dangerous as they are snorting it and not injecting it and believe it is a 'purer' form.  Another scary fact is that the users are getting younger.  Experimenting is starting as young as middle school.  So what can you do?

• Know the warning signs of teen drug abuse. Warning Signs of Teenage Drug Abuse
• Talk to your teen and be involved in their life.  
• Know your teen's friends.  
• Keep your teen busy with activities.  
• Keep yourself informed about teens and drugs.  
• Make family time.  Remember the family dinner table?
• Be a good role model.

Other Terms for heroin:  Smack, dope, mud, black tar, big H, junk, brown sugar

Good Books to Read:

The Teen Code: How to Talk to Them about Sex, Drugs, and Everything Else--Teenagers Reveal What Works Best

How to Talk to Teens About Really Important Things: Specific Questions and Answers and Useful Things to Say

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk

How to Say it to Teens

Getting Through to Your Kids