- Feature Links
- Heroin Prevention
- Resources
- Family & Community
Family & Community
Helpful Lists
- Do Now List (PDF) - A list of what to do now to keep your child drug free.
- Do Tomorrow List (PDF) - What to do every day after the Do Now List.
Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) Anonymous Drug Analysis Program
In addition, the NCPD offers an Anonymous Drug Analysis Program, for parents or guardians. If you discover your child has a substance you think is a drug, the NCPD's program will test and identify the substance and provide anonymous advice and counsel from a member of the NCPD Narcotics/Vice Squad. No criminal charges will be filed as a result of items submitted for analysis. Parents/guardians may bring the suspicious substance to their local precinct stationhouse along with an envelope. For more information, visit the Nassau County Police Department Facebook page.
What To Look For
It is important to keep in mind that if a child shows any of the following symptoms, it does not necessarily mean that he or she is using drugs. A substance abuse or mental health professional may help a child successfully overcome a crisis and develop more effective coping skills.
The key is change; it is important to watch for any significant change in your child's physical appearance, personality, attitude or behavior.
- Cold, sweaty palms; shaking hands
- Extreme hyperactivity; excessive talkativeness
- Inability to sleep, awake at unusual times, unusual laziness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Loss of appetite, increase in appetite, unexplained weight loss or gain
- Nausea, vomiting or excessive sweating
- Needle marks on lower arm, leg or bottom of feet
- Puffy face, blushing or paleness
- Red, watery eyes; pupils larger or smaller than usual; blank stare
- Runny nose; hacking cough
- Slowed or staggering walk; poor physical coordination
- Smell of substance on breath, body or clothes
- Tremors or shakes of hands, feet or head
- Car accidents
- Change in activities or hobbies
- Change in habits at home; loss of interest in family and family activities
- Change in overall attitude / personality with no other identifiable cause
- Change in personal grooming habits
- Changes in friends; new hangouts; sudden avoidance of old crowd
- Chronic dishonesty
- Difficulty in paying attention; forgetfulness
- Drop in grades at school or performance at work; skips school or is late for school
- General lack of motivation, energy, self-esteem, "I don't care" attitude
- Moodiness, irritability, or nervousness
- Paranoia
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Secretive or suspicious behavior
- Silliness or giddiness
- Sudden oversensitivity, temper tantrums, or resentful behavior
- Unexplained need for money, stealing money or items