Signs and symptoms:

Changes in academic performance: low grades, incomplete work, unprepared for class, low motivation, poor task attention

School attendance: frequently late or absent, suspensions (in or out of school)

Extracurricular activities: lost eligibility, little involvement, misses practice w/o reason, lacks hobbies or interests

Behavior: sleeping in class, defiant, aggressive, attention seeking or disruptive, appears depressed or anxious, argumentative, irritable, inappropriate emotional responses, poor affect, borrows money, dishonest, tests limits

Physical Appearance: Pale complexion, dark circles under eyes, facial swelling,

Constantly hungry or loss of appetite, slurred or rapid speech, bloodshot eyes, dilated or pinpoint pupils, frequent complaints of feeling sick, frequent requests

for health room passes, weight loss or bulking out.

Alcohol and other drugs Talks or gestures about AOD* use, others report AOD talk or use, wears AOD clothes, jewelry, odors of marijuana, alcohol, tobacco, chemicals

Tobacco use.

Legal: Prior arrests, probation, other violations of the law.

Violence: poor social interactions, withdrawal from peers, feels rejected, victim of violence, picked on, persecuted, violence in writings, drawings, uncontrolled anger, bullying, intimidating, discipline problems, violent/aggressive behaviors, intolerance, prejudicial attitudes, affiliation with gangs, access to firearms, serious threats of violence

Peer Relations: Change of friends, older social group, associates with AOD users, avoids peers, sudden status with peers.

Family: Family under stress, runaway, or unaccounted for time periods, alienated from family, possible family AOD use.

*AOD Alcohol and other drugs

http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/departments/safe/studentassistance.htm

http://www.drugabuse.gov/about/organization/ICAW/treatment/treatmentfindings298.html

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgtmpl.asp?url=/Content/EXEC/GangTF/gangs_parents_guide.asp

http://www.drugabuse.gov/prevention/risk.html

http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drug_info.asp