Indicators or signs of use
Taken from flipchart notes made by participants on training courses. Some of these suggestions should be taken with a pinch of salt. Many of the individual indicators could, for example, just as easily refer to the "average" teenager, or to someone experiencing mental health problems. If taken together, i.e. Individual indicators + Paraphernalia, it is more likely that there could be drug use present.
Be aware of the limitations of these lists.
Individual behavioural indicators
Individual emotional indicators
Individual physical indicators
Paraphernalia/ Equipment - what to look out for
Indicators of drug dealing/drug dealers
Individual behavioural indicators
- Aggressive body language.
- Argumentative.
- Babbling.
- Changes in friendship circles.
- Changes in hobbies or interest.
- Changes in sex drive.
- Constant chatter, talking rubbish.
- Disrupted eating patterns.
- Fidgeting.
- Forgetfulness.
- Giggling.
- Hyperactivity.
- Irrational behaviour.
- Little / no appetite.
- Munchies.
- Neglect of dependents, including pets.
- New peer group.
- Out of character behaviour.
- Poor coordination.
- Rebellion.
- Secretive, furtive behaviour.
- Slurred speech.
- Spaced out/unaware.
- Staying in bed.
- Stealing.
- Truancy.
- Unexplained absences.
- Verbal diarrhoea.
- Withdrawal from usual social setting.
Individual emotional indicators
- Agitation.
- Anxiety.
- Argumentative.
- Depression.
- Hallucinations.
- Happier.
- Inappropriate self esteem.
- Increase in confidence.
- Lack of concentration.
- Loss of 'spark, 'light'.
- Low/no self esteem.
- Mood swings.
- Neglect.
- Paranoia.
- Suicidal thoughts.
Individual physical indicators
- Acne.
- Appetite changes.
- Bruises.
- Changed energy levels.
- Clumsy - staggering walk.
- Constipation.
- Cramps.
- Dehydration.
- DTs.
- Eyes, glazed, red.
- Fidgeting.
- Hygiene, lack of
- Inappropriate energy levels.
- Lack of hygiene.
- Manipulated money.
- Poor dental hygiene.
- Poor skin condition, spots, sores, rashes.
- Pupils - big pupils (dilated pupils).
- Pupils - pinned pupils (contracted pupils).
- Raised temperature.
- Rapid or slowed pulse.
- Runs.
- Smell.
- Sniffling.
- Sores /rashes.
- Sweating.
- Three pairs of trousers -used to disguise appearance when shoplifting etc.
- Track marks.
- Tremors.
- Unkempt.
- Vomiting and sickness.
- Weight loss.
Paraphernalia / Equipment - what to look out for
- Acetone (nail varnish remover).
- Aerosols.
- Bent over coke tins.
- Biros with no ink insert.
- Bongs/pipes.
- Bottles (top part cut off).
- Burnt foil.
- Car aerials found away from car.
- Cardboard tubes.
- Cigarette buts / paper / tobacco.
- Cigs without tobacco.
- Citric acid, lemon juice.
- Cling film / torn magazine paper.
- Drugs.
- Filters.
- Kinder eggs.
- Lighters/matches.
- Mirrors/glass.
- New money or no money.
- Plastic bags.
- Powder/tablets.
- Razor blades.
- Rizla papers/packs, torn Rizla packet.
- Roaches.
- Rolled up banknotes.
- Scales.
- Stolen property.
- Syringes/needles.
- tin foil.
- Torn magazines.
- Towels used to filter aerosols and solvents.
- Tourniquets.
- Wraps.
Indicators of drug dealing/drug dealers
- Abstinence.
- Change of addresses.
- Change of lifestyle.
- Criminal activities involving credit cards and credit.
- Don't stay in the same place too long.
- Flushing of toilet when doorbell rang!.
- Hanging near toilets in pubs and clubs.
- Have more money than you would expect.
- Increase of money.
- Money but no work.
- Regular moves and changed phone numbers.
- Run down homes.
- Scales.
- Several pay as you go mobile phones.
- Someone older socialising with younger people.
- Unusual number of visitors, unusual times of day or night.
- Use of protection, e.g. large dogs.