Pubdate: Mon, 15 May 2000 Source: Tulsa World (OK) Copyright: 2000 World Publishing Co. Contact: P.O. Box 1770, Tulsa, OK 74102 Author: Tulsa Police Officer Andy Phillips Note: This column is prepared by Tulsa Police Officer Andy Phillips. Send questions to Phillips at 600 Civic Center, c/o Public Information Office, Tulsa, OK 74103 or call 596-9875. ASK A COP: ALERT PARENTS CAN DETECT DRUG ABUSE IN THEIR CHILDREN This is the second installment of a four-week series titled "A General Parental Guide to Drug Abuse Indicators." This week's installment addresses the initial symptoms of drug abuse and stages of chemical abuse. Parents should watch for: Changing behavior. Worsening grades. Physical appearance beginning to deteriorate. All new friends suddenly appearing Child may be wearing sunglasses at inappropriate times. Child may be reluctant to join family activities. At this point, the parents should intervene and-or seek professional assistance. Stages of chemical use: Experimentation: (Grade school or early middle school -- occasional beer drinking, glue sniffing, pot smoking, cigarette smoking. Easily intoxicated (low tolerance) Moving on to hard drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Greg