Parents take note! It is common or teenagers to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Most of us can remember that feeling of being young and indestructible, or just unaware of what the potential risks of this behavior are. Unfortunately, young adults under the influence of these substances tend to take more dangerous chances. More than 10,000 young people are killed and 40,000 are injured in alcohol related accidents in the U.S. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the average age of that first taste of alcohol can be before 12 and 14 for marijuana. These two drugs can act as “gateway” drugs to cocaine, heroine and even Ecstasy.
Some of the warning signs that your child might be abusing drugs or alcohol include:
- Red and glazed eyes
- Fatigue
- Sudden mood changes
- Irresponsible behavior and rule breaking
- A general lack of interest
- New friends that you don’t know
- Drop in grades and lack of interest in school
- Withdrawal from the family
- Weight gain or loss
Teenagers want to fit in and can be highly influenced by their peer group. In high school, kids start going to parties in which parents even supply the alcohol as long as no one drives. This all contributes to increased chances of running in to legal problems as well. We often have parents calling in asking about our Minor In Possession classes because their child has been caught with an open container at a party that was closed down by police, or with marijuana at the park, or sometimes even at school.
If you are concerned about the path your child is taking, or if he or she has been cited for a MIP violation, have your child take an MIP class online. Minor in Possession classes are basically alcohol and drug education classes that are also designed to meet court or legal requirements. They can be taken simply to teach young adults about the risks and ramifications of substance abuse, or as a solution to fulfill a court requirement. Students will learn about the different types of drugs and alcohol, the short and long-term health risks that they expose their mind and body to, and what the consequences of underage use and abuse will be. Students also learn techniques to overcome and avoid usage through improved stress management and communication skills. The goal of the course is to walk away with a new understanding of the negative impact drug and alcohol use now, will have on the rest of their lives.
The most affordable and convenient way to take these educationally based classes is online. With the prevalence of Smartphones, Ipads, laptops and PCs in most homes, distance-learning classes have become more and more popular. Simply register online for either a basic 8-hour level 1 Minor In Possession class or find out from the court if a lengthier 12, 16, 20 or 24-hour class is required. Once you register online, the class becomes immediately available on any web-based computer screen. Then the teenager can go at his or her own pace to learn the material. Classes are available online 24/7, so they can be fit in to whenever there is free time. Nothing needs to be printed out or downloaded, so students can sit in the private, comfortable environment of their own home rather than having to get a ride across town to a traditional classroom program.
Help your child learn the reasons why they shouldn’t get involved with drugs and alcohol by taking an online MIP class today!