Holes punched in walls; screaming in my face; swerving the car dangerously; reading my diary; punching my little brother; ignoring my requests to leave; these were just a few of the warning signs that my high school boyfriend was an abuser.

Being a parent is a job that we are not trained for. We learn as we go. It can be the most fulfilling and challenging job all at once. As parents, we naturally try and protect our children from harm, but sometimes, no matter how hard we try, our children may still not make the best possible decisions. The pre-teen and teenage years are often when adolescents try to find themselves, figure out their likes and dislikes, and experiment with different trends or hobbies. It is during this time that they may being to experiment with drugs.