Knowledge is power. Let’s educate ourselves.
As a parent of a teen who may be using drugs, you might feel powerless. However, there are things that you can do to help your teen. You have resources designed to help prevent and treat substance disorders, and to help bring awareness to paraphernalia that may be hiding substances and signs of these disorders.
Stash Jars
When you hear the phrase “stash jar,” what do you think of? A glass jar? An airtight box? Maybe even an empty medication bottle?
While all of these items can be used as places to store substances, we are seeing a rise in stash jars disguised as everyday objects. These are created with the intention of hiding substances in plain sight. These stash jars can look like hairbrushes, food wrappers, water bottles, batteries, and so much more.
Paraphernalia to Look Out For
It’s important to draw attention to other paraphernalia that may indicate that a teen is using substances. Someone with a substance use disorder may use store-bought paraphernalia, or they may be using something that is homemade or makeshift.
1. Spoons, Bottle Caps, and Dried Cotton Ball
Spoons and bottle caps can be used to hold powdered drugs while heating them up to be liquified. Cotton balls may be used to filter substances after being liquified.
2. Needles and Tourniquets
Along with needles, makeshift tourniquets like shoelaces to rubber bands may indicate that someone is injecting a substance.
3. Straws, Hollowed Pens, or Rolled Dollars
These items may be used when someone is inhaling a powdered substance.
4. Small Scales
Small scales can be an indicator that someone is weighing substances to sell. These scales may also be disguised as things like cigarette boxes.
5. Baggies or Balloons
Baggies or balloons may be used to transport substances. While we traditionally see small baggies holding substances, these bags can also be regular Ziplock bags.
6. Empty Household Cleaner Bottles or Rags
If you are finding multiple empty household cleaner bottles in your teen’s room, or multiple rags that smell strongly of cleaner, it may be a sign of huffing.
7. Small Mirrors, Razor Blades, or Credit Cards
All of these items may be used to cut lines of powdered substances.
8. Other Drug Paraphernalia
Paraphernalia like bongs, pipes, and vapes are clear indicators that someone may be struggling with substance use.
The Takeaway
Being aware of the ways that teens can hide substances in plain sight can help prevent the development of a substance use disorder. While the types of hiding places that people use are constantly changing, we know that everyday items may be altered to hold substances. If you want more information about Hidden in Plain Sight, or would like to discuss bringing a workshop to your organization, contact us for more information.
