As a parent, you will want to protect your child from harm no matter what. When they were younger, you’ll likely have had high hopes for your child, and dreamed of the day that they’d make you proud by being accepted at a good college. While you may now be proud of them for many things that they have achieved so far such as going to college, you’ll also be extremely worried about their future if you have reason to believe that they are using illegal drugs.
Drugs are, unfortunately, common in college communities, and while they are often thought of as just harmless fun to be experienced while partying, they can lead to overdose, addiction and criminal charges. As a parent, you need to make sure that you protect your child’s future by speaking to them about their drug use as soon as you are aware of it. The following is an overview of how you can confront your child about their drug problem in the best possible way.
Understand the situation first
It’s important that you do not act in the spur of the moment or confront your child without knowing the facts. For example, if your child used marijuana once at a party, it is a different situation than if they were to be routinely using heroin. Make sure that you understand the facts and attempt to get the whole truth before you react.
Have a conversation, not a speech
Your child will be well aware of the risks of using illegal drugs, and they will be unlikely to change their behavior simply because you reiterate the risks to them. But by asking questions and truly listening to the responses, you may be able to learn exactly why your child is using drugs and what they plan to do to address their problem.
If your child is facing legal charges as a result of drug possession, it is important that you understand their defense options so that the consequences can be minimized.