Father Finds Drug Paraphernalia

If you accept your son's story about this scale belonging to his friend, then you must ask yourself what you would want if you switched places with his friend's parents. Would you want another parent to tell you if they discovered that your son had a scale to weigh drugs, strongly suggesting that he was distributing drugs, at the very least? If your answer is yes, then your value system tells you that you should contact this boy's parents and ask to meet with them along with both your son and their son. Your son will have to deal with the consequences that come from associating with kids who use and sell drugs and/or from using drugs himself.

If you do contact this friend's parents, your son's friends at school will realize that their parents would do exactly what you are doing. He is trying to protect himself and his friend. You are now faced with the challenge of acting responsibly as a parent in the face of discovering risky and illegal behavior on the part of your son's friend and most likely your son. I doubt that you will scare him out of using drugs simply by contacting this friend's parents.

This incident opens the door for you to begin discussions with your son about using drugs. Threats and scare tactics should not be used during the ongoing discussions you have with your son about using drugs and being in the company of kids who are using drugs. He needs your understanding, your values, and your support as you help him make good decisions when it comes to using and selling drugs. Don't make this a one-time angry lecture on drug use. Keep talking with him about this. Ask him about the peer pressure that he might be feeling to use drugs and brainstorm some ways that he can keep away from drugs and still maintain friendships and a healthy social life. He has shown you a red flag. Now you must respond with good sense and love, allowing him to learn from the natural consequences that follow his actions.