Question: Parent Asks Question About Teen’s Best Friend Using Marijuana
My son is friends with a boy who I think is a good kid but might be using marijuana. He is my son's best friend. What do I do?
Answer: Parents can feel threatened by the drug use of a peer their teen hangs around with because they feel their teen may pick up their friend’s bad habits. Parents are right to have these concerns. If you do, follow these steps:
Talk to your teen. Tell him your concern. Ask for his thoughts, but be firm that you will be watching for the warning signs that he has been using marijuana. Keep the lines of communication open.
Share your family values about drugs and your unconditional love. At this time, give him the opportunity to think about drug use and change his behavior. If he is having a drug problem, give him the space to open up about it instead of freaking out.
Set the consequences for future drug use. Make it very clear what will happened if you catch your teen smoking marijuana using logical consequences.
Quick Links: Parenting Quiz: Is Your Teen 'At-Risk'? | Parenting Troubled Teens
