How to realize that the child uses or distributes drugs

Children often receive mailings in Telegram, other instant messengers or on social media, and the mailings promise a well-paid job. Julia managed to stop in time and quit “the job.” Unfortunately, many teenagers in Belarus agree and become “droppers”. They pack drugs in small plastic bags, wrap them in foil, and then in scotch tape. This is a ready-made dead drop that you need to hide, make a picture of where this “treasure” is planted, and send this picture to the “handler”. The buyer finds the dead drop using its snapshot and geolocation.

The number of children involved in the drug business has been growing in Belarus. For example, the number of crimes related to drug trafficking among minors increased by almost 13% in 2022: from 126 to 142 cases (according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs).

Children, like moths, fly for “easy money”. Some of them do this to fulfill their dreams of new gadgets and entertainment. Some of them do this to feed their own addiction (most droppers become drug users).

Unfortunately, these stories end predictably in most cases: an overdose, a criminal case, threats or physical violence from “sportiks”. “Sportiks” are strong and unprincipled guys hired by drug stores to “talk” with those who decided to “exit” or to deceive their employers. “Conversations” often end in beatings, scorched or shaved hair, and sexual assault.

However, you can recognize the problem in time and help teenagers. There are obvious signs to realize that the child uses or distributes drugs. We spoke with expert Vasily Demidovich, Senior Inspector for Special Assignments from the Operations Department of the Juvenile Affairs Inspection of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Police), and made a clear list of recommendations for parents, including what to do if most of the bullet points are frighteningly similar to your situation.

Background info

Until recently, all the media wrote about “spices”: drugs in the form of a smoking mixture. Now, “salts” have replaced them: synthetic psychostimulants, which have gained wild popularity among children. This is Alpha-PVP, Mephedrone, 4-CMC. The reason for their popularity is that these drugs are cheaper. They got their unofficial name — “salts” — because they look like bath salts: crystals of white or dirty gray color, large or small. They have a very specific smell sometimes compared to the smell of cat urine. 

“Salt” addiction develops faster and harder than other drug addictions. Serious mental disorders develop very quickly after “salts” are used, which can lead to the development of schizophrenia, persecution mania, hallucinations. There were cases when children broke car windows: they said they had seen a man or a woman suffocating in a car filled with water.

The consequences for the human body are irreversible in most cases. However, if you quickly turn to a narcologist (addiction specialist) for help, children can be helped.

Signs to realize that the child uses drugs

Please note that some of the signs are typical for different puberty situations. Do not draw a categorical conclusion if there are 1-2 signs only. Be sure to talk tactfully and gently with your child about your concerns.

• The TOR browser app installed in the child’s smartphone. This browser allows surfing the DarkNet. The DarkNet (also known as “hidden network”, “dark web” or "shadow network”) is an Internet segment hidden from public access. This means that it is impossible to find out where messages come from, and it is impossible to track back the IP addresses of gadgets on the DarkNet. That is why it is often used to spread information about pornography involving children, about weapons, about drug trafficking. Drug stores use it to communicate with droppers and buyers. Communications are mainly in Telegram or WhatsApp. The DarkNet for a drug user is a “premium store”.
• A large number of landscape pictures in the child’s smartphone: benches, trees, playgrounds.
• Such things as pipettes with traces of soot and a spring (they can be used to smoke “salts”), rolled banknotes, foil, electrical tape, small scales, zip bags, entrenching shovels even: all of these things are for dead dropping.
• Friends change and the child speaks slang. Children do not call drugs by their official names: Alpha-PVP, Mephedrone. They say “speed”, “ice”, “meow”, “meth”.
• Physiological manifestations: children often sweat (this sweat has a very specific smell); there are many pimples all over the body; hair becomes brittle; pupils are unnaturally dilated. In addition, the child has no appetite, suffers from constant thirst, insomnia, and a mandibular tremor may appear. Since drugs destroy mucosa, nosebleeds are often observed.
• Inability to focus on anything particular: obsession with small things. For example, children can assemble and disassemble a toy, a radio set, tie shoelaces dozens of times. Girls can do makeup several times, wash it off and do it again.
• Reticence. Children try to hide things, close their rooms, try to lock everything up. There may be persecution mania.
• The child asks for money; things disappear from home.

Liability for drug use and drug trafficking

People are criminally liable for drug selling at the age of 14+. Children face 8 to 15 years in prison.

People are criminally liable at the age of 16+ for being in a public place in a state of drug intoxication. Children face up to 5 years in prison. If the child is under 16, the parents are brought to administrative liability for failure to fulfill their child-rearing duties.

Where to go for help

What should parents do if they suspect their child of using or distributing “salts”? First of all, have an open talk. Involve a psychologist or a social worker if you cannot manage on your own. Even if you have a trusting relationship with your son or daughter, consulting with a professional (especially the one who is already experienced in working with adolescents in contact with the law) will not be superfluous.

If your child uses drugs, contact a narcologist (addiction specialist) immediately.

What to do if the child confesses to distributing drugs? First, we recommend contacting a lawyer, as parents and the minor need to clearly understand liability, the interrogation process, searches, detentions, etc. In Belarus, legal assistance in the interests of minors is provided free of charge. You can contact your regional Bar Association (https://www.rka.by/).

If the child confesses that s/he distributes drugs, contact the police. Remember: active cooperation may mitigate liability or the child can be completely released from it. In the case of cooperation, the child will be protected: his/her personal data will be classified, child’s participation in court hearings will be minimized, and bodyguards will ensure child protection.

Parents can find additional information on the website: https://pomogut.by/. There is also a 24/7 hotline (+ 375 17 311 00 00): feel free to call it for advice and help.