Released on: June 30, 2008, 4:19 pm

Press Release Author: Narconon Arrowhead

Industry: Healthcare

Press Release Summary: Guidelines for parents to help them prevent or detect drug
use in their teens, presented by Narconon Arrowhead.

Press Release Body: When children hit their teenaged years and are not so dependent
on parents for companionship or support, it's easy to breathe a sigh of relief and
reduce one's monitoring. If this reduction is met with changes in behavior that
might indicate drug or alcohol use, it's important for a parent to know what to do
next.

What changes may indicate drug abuse? Mood swings from grumpy to happy without
apparent reason; withdrawal from family members and activities; carelessness about
personal grooming; loss of interest in sports, studies or favorite activities,
changed sleeping patterns; emotional blowups or abuse; being absent from school or
from home for long hours; making excuses for behavior; overreaction to criticism;
needing money or having unexplained money. The appearance of these signs does not
indicate drug abuse in every teen, but they should raise red flags.

Parents suspecting drug abuse may ask their children outright if they are abusing
drugs, be answered with "Of course not, I would never do that," and then not know
how to proceed. Parents want to love and trust their children and not accuse them
unfairly. But when these signs continue, a parent must change tactics in three
important ways.

1. Make it harder for the teen to engage in drug-related activities. Restrict use of
cell phone or car. Require more attendance at family dinners or outings. Require
more reporting on whereabouts and confirm the accuracy of the reports. Provide less
cash which may mean you have to accompany the teen on purchasing trips.

2. Open the channels of communication by letting the teen know that you will accept
any communication from them without blame or shame, and then make opportunities for
them to talk privately with you. And if they do tell you startling news, you have to
keep that promise.

3. Provide the teen with drug education they can understand, identify with and use.
Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation and education centers have a variety of
effective drug education materials available, many free for the asking. These can be
obtained by calling Narconon Arrowhead in Canadian, Oklahoma at 1-800-468-6933.

As well as being dearly loved, our children are our most precious resource for the
future. They deserve a present and a future free from drug abuse and need to be
taught how to avoid this danger that they are all too likely to encounter at a young
age.

The Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation program was founded in 1966 by William
Benitez in Arizona State Prison, and is based on the humanitarian works of L. Ron
Hubbard. In more than 120 centers around the world, Narconon programs replace the
loss and pain of alcohol or drug addiction with productive, enjoyable lives. Anyone
can find out more about the Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation program by
visiting www.stopaddiction.com.

Web Site: http://www.stopaddiction.com

Contact Details: Narconon Arrowhead, HC 67 Box 5, Canadian, OK 74425,
1-800-468-6933, 918-339-5800. Fax 918-339-5801. Email info@stopaddiction.com.