Warning Signs of Drug Use: Expert Alerts Parents
Image: AI illustration
In a statement given this morning, Tuesday, February 17, 2026, on national radio, Mohamed Ali Cheiibi, head of the regional service for the fight against narcotics, warned against a set of indicators that can alert parents to the possibility of drug use.
The speaker first emphasized the need to alert parents, indicating that the fact that children do not often go out and stay at home in front of their computers does not protect them from drug use. On the contrary,
"Drugs can reach young people right in their own homes. All it takes is an internet connection, and they are no longer safe! Moreover, drugs can reach consumers right in their own homes via the Dark Net."
The speaker added that a set of signs should alert parents and encourage them to monitor their children more closely.
"If your child is isolated, if they lose interest in their hobbies like sports or artistic activities they used to enjoy, if they seem to neglect their appearance, if they sneak out even for brief moments, and if their comings and goings become more and more discreet, this should attract the parent's attention that something is wrong and that the child needs to be monitored more closely. Additionally, if the child changes their circle of friends, suddenly breaks off relationships with their closest friend, and starts hanging out with new people, if their school performance declines, if they are late to class or play hooky, this should also prompt the parent to check what's going on behind the scenes."
The speaker also warned parents to be vigilant if their child:
- Avoids eye contact
- Seems to be in their own world
- Asks for larger sums of money without a plausible explanation
- Has red eyes
- Drinks excessive amounts of water without being sick
These signs should lead parents to take their child to consult a professional, the speaker cautioned.
