If you can spot the signs, you may be able to avoid the tragedies of substance abuse. Our parents' guide tells you how- before it's too late.

From the book, Warning Signs (Warner Publications)

By William C. Van Ost, M.D. F.A.A.P., & Elaine Van Ost

Substance	What To Look For:	Dependency Can Cause:
Alcohol Most common "gateway drug" used by children today. Kids are likely to try other drugs while drinking.	-Hidden bottles, cans -Scent of alcohol on breath or in cans, cups, or glasses -Lowered levels of bottles kept at home -Frequent use of breath fresheners	-Malnutrition -High blood pressure -Damage to liver, heart and pancreas -Neurological brain damage -Birth defects
Amphetamines ("Speed," "Bennys," "Crystal") Stimulants that come in capsule and tablet form.	-Any pills found with a child's belongings	-Insomnia -Loss of appetite -"Crash" when effects wear off -Paranoia -Destruction of nerve cells in the brain -Heart attack & stroke
Cocaine ("Coke") A white, bitter-tasting powder that can be injected, smoked or snorted.	-White powder in glassine or plastic envelopes or small plastic vials -Single-edged razor blades, diagonally cut straws or tightly rolled paper, mirrors and key chains -An inappropriately long pinky fingernail	-Sinus problems -Mood swings, depression, paranoia -Severe "crash" when effects wear off -Nausea, vomiting and sore throat -Fatigue, yet insomnia -Nosebleeds, nasal ulcers -Strokes and epileptic seizures
Crack ("Rock") Powdered cocaine mixed with baking soda and water to forma paste that hardens to look like off-white rock salt. When smoked ("freebased"), there is an audible crackling sound.	-Thumbnail-size vials with colorful tops -Small metal pipes	-Instant addiction or within on to several weeks -Rapid heartbeat; high blood pressure -Lung problems -Seizures -Death
Heroin ("Junk," "Smack") A white or brownish powder, often cut with other substances such as milk sugar or quinine, dissolved in water and injected.	-Powder in glassine or plastic envelopes -Syringes -Bottle caps or spoons with burns on them	-Skin abscesses -Heart inflammation -Increased risk of infection, hepatitis, AIDS -Depression of the central nervous system, resulting in respiratory failure, convulsion, coma and death.
Inhalants Anesthetics such as ether and nitrous oxide and solvents like airplane glue, kerosene, gasoline, nail-polish remover, lighter fluid, paint thinners and "felt-tip" markers, as well as aerosol propellants.	-Containers of common household products in inappropriate places -Small metallic bullet-shaped containers for certain propellant gasses (whippets) -Jars of "white out" in inappropriate amounts.	-Respiratory depression and death from anesthetics -Fatal aplastic anemia, liver and brain damage from glue or benzene sniffing -"Sudden sniffing death" (SSD) from aerosol propellants -Acute psychological effects and brain damage from volatile inhalants
LSD ("Acid") Odorless, colorless and tasteless, it comes in tablet, capsule and liquid from. It is taken orally and often added to absorbent paper divided in squares, each one representing a dose.	-Sheets of paper with dot stains (blotter acid) or thin squares of gelatin that look like windowpanes in plastic envelopes. -Small, candy like pellets	-Emotional imbalance and dreamlike states while awake -Distortion of vision -Impaired judgment; altered perception of time and space -Brain damage
Marijuana (Grass," "pot," "Weed") Dried particles of the plant cannabis sativa that can be rolled into a cigarette joint or smoked in a pipe. Hash oil, the brownish pressings of the plant, can be injected into ordinary tobacco cigarettes.	-Oregano like material with an odor of burnt rope, in small plastic bags -Skinny, hand roled cigarettes -Pipes (bongs) -Rolling papers -Pellets of hashish	-Weakened immune system -Impaired psychomotor functions -Impaired learning ability and memory -Lung damage -Birth defects
PCP ("Angel Dust") PCP (phenylcyclidine) is a hallucinogen. It can be swallowed, smoked, sniffed or injected. cigarettes made of tobacco, parsley or marijuana can be spiked with PCP	-Tablets, capsules, crystal like powder -Repeated cycles of "wild" behavior as substance cycles and recycles through body.	-Occurrence of accidents and injuries -Inducement of a catatonic state -Inducement of a psychotic state -Brain Damage