For Parents: Everyday items you may not realize are drug paraphernalia-Part 1

Most parents don’t know what can be used as drug paraphernalia so don’t feel like you are alone if you have no idea what to look for when it comes to signs that your child may be using drugs. Pretty much anything can be used to hide or use drugs these days but it is good to have some idea of the most common items you may not realize are drug paraphernalia. The more knowledge you have about drug use and drug paraphernalia, the better you will be able to help your child when they need it most.

Here are some everyday items you may not realize are drug paraphernalia:

• Pens: No, pens are not a conspicuous, code name for drug paraphernalia. We are literally are talking about writing pens. Pens are mainly used for snorting drugs. Because snorting is a quick way to get high many kids will use this route administration. Anything that can be broken down into a powder form can be snorted. This means that pens are used to snort cocaine, methamphetamine, pills, and heroin. The pen is hollowed out to become a tube and then can be used to snort a line of cocaine, crushed pills etc.
• Belts/Shoelaces: Whether or not your child’s belts or shoelaces are drug paraphernalia can be hard to determine because most people already have belts and shoelaces. Belts and shoelaces are used for injecting drugs. Drugs that can be injected are any substance that can dissolve in water. The belts and shoelaces are used to tie the arm as a tourniquet. Just like when you get your blood drawn at the doctor and they tie the tourniquet around your arm; drug users will use anything they can as a tourniquet including belts and shoelaces. They could be drug paraphernalia and you don’t even realize it.
• Rose in a glass: Rose in a glass is a fake or paper rose inside behind a protective pane of class. The little rose in a will look like a charm, novelty or part of a piece of jewelry but what you may not realize about this item is it actually a crack pipe. The rose is actually meant to throw parents such as yourself off as to the true nature of what it is. Because the reality is the rose means nothing and it is the glass tube it sits in that means everything. The glass is drug paraphernalia and used to smoke drugs such as crack. These glass roses are often sold in gas stations.
• Tube sock: All of us have been inside a gas station or convenience store and saw that they sold clothing items.  They may have a whole stock of tube socks in their store. The real use for the tube socks goes unknown though to parents who don’t realize that they are actually drug paraphernalia. Tube socks can be used for huffing paint. What kids will do is empty an entire can of spray paint into the tube sock and then huff the fumes from the sock. Any gas station or convenience store selling tube socks may be selling a few to the weary traveler but they know the real intended purpose of tube socks.
• Vicks: You may have heard of kids getting high of Vicks but you may not have realized Vicks is also drug paraphernalia. Kids who are on ecstasy enjoy putting Vick’s VapoRub on their face because the ecstasy enhances the feeling they get as they inhale it. Fumes from eucalyptus and menthol are intensified by the ecstasy high which results in a very pleasurable sensation for those on ecstasy. So if you didn’t realize Vicks was drug paraphernalia keep any eye out especially if it is found with other things such as pacifiers, glow sticks and other rave items.

Keep Your Eyes Open

There are many everyday items you may not realize are drug paraphernalia but if you keep your eyes open and learn what to look for you won’t miss it. Don’t just look for drug paraphernalia though. Look for these items in accordance with other signs of drug use; such as changes in behavior, different sleep patterns, track marks, changes in friends, blood shot eyes, and nodding out etc. Chances are if you notice things aside finding drug paraphernalia you child may need help and you can be there to reach your hand out.

If you think you’re child may have a problem with drug addiction, check out Recognizing Drug Addiction Signs and Symptoms.

If you or your loved one is in need of treatment for alcohol or drug addiction please give us a call at 800-951-6135.