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Parents all worry about their children and what they are getting up to when out of sight. Adolescents can be difficult and it is extremely hard to know whether their awkward behaviour is part of what it means to be a teenager or whether it is the result of some sinister pastime.

Once children start to be more independent and begin to go out at night with their friends without parental supervision, it is easy to see how they could get involved with the 'wrong sort of people'. Parents would be unwise to ignore the fact that no matter how well brought up their children are, it remains a possibility that they might at some point, go 'off the rails'.

All children feel the need to experiment at times, hence the amount of parents who will find a hapless young teenage son or daughter drunk, after they decided to 'try' an alcoholic beverage. It may come as a shock to parents (and hopefully a lesson to the child involved), but this is the way all children learn. Thankfully, not all of them will learn by direct experience. Some will take on board the lessons learned by their contemporaries without feeling the need to experiment for themselves.

However, all parents will agree with the need to ensure that their children do not experiment with drugs. Education is the first form of defence. It is important to instil in our children from a very early age that they should never take any substance without first consulting their parents, or some other responsible adult. They should grow up with the idea that unknown substances are dangerous so that if faced with a drug later on in life, they should have the knowledge and understanding to turn away.

A first rule is that if possible, you know who your offspring's friends are and new 'friends' should be encouraged to come and visit so that you may get to know them. This way, you will at least have an idea of who your child is mixing with. A parent's sixth sense will often alert them to friends who may be a bad influence.

If the personality of your child seems to change suddenly however there may be more to it than straightforward adolescence. There is seldom much point in challenging your offspring directly, unless, of course you have some evidence of their misdeeds.

There are several signs which may indicate your son or daughter is taking mind-altering substances and these would include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:-

·         Noticeable personality change - either far more outgoing and sure of themselves - or the reverse.

·         Verbal aggression - particularly in a child who is usually placid.

·         Change in appetite.

·         Sudden need for secrecy.

·         Spending a lot more time alone - or at least, not with family.

·         Referring to friends you have never heard of - or at the expense of old friends who they perhaps seem not to want to know any more.

·         Change in attitude towards schoolwork - usually becoming more disinterested than usual.

·         Unexplained absences and reluctance to explain their whereabouts.

Essentially, becoming involved with drugs will normally change a child's personality. The change may, of course be quite gradual and then it is not quite so easy to pinpoint what has changed, or when it started.

You should look for the physical signs of drug taking and these may include:

·         Complete haziness and difficulty in concentrating on anything.

·         Strange smell around the child.

·         Obvious smell of alcohol, tobacco or solvents.

·         Change in skin texture, with sudden outbreaks of spots.

·         Sores around the mouth.

·         Change in appetite.

·         Weight loss.

First of all, remember that the transformation in your child may just be part of him or her being a teenager. However, any sudden difference in behaviour or personality should alert you to the possibility that there may be other reasons for the change and that you should increase your level of vigilance. You probably know your child better than anyone else and although the normal changes in adolescents may be quite marked, you will probably be aware that there is more to it than simple adolescent angst.

Remember to keep the dialogue going with your child. It may be hard to be patient, especially if they appear to be doing everything to annoy you and you will, of course, be worried. Maintaining a dialogue and showing that you are ready to listen to them and being supportive, means you will be in possession of the facts a lot sooner than if you have a row and are no longer civil to one another.