Go to any shopping mall and you might be surprised to learn of the countless stores selling items that not only promote drug use, but also provide the means for teens to engage in drug-related activities.

Posters, stickers, T-shirts, key chains, and air fresheners may be obvious items to spot in a line-up, but drug paraphernalia come in many forms. Some paraphernalia are specifically designed to look like everyday items that you might find in a teen’s room, backpack, purse or car.

For more information on drug paraphernalia, visit the DEA’s Web site.

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, drug paraphernalia are often marketed specifically to youth - with colorful logos, celebrity pictures and designs like smiley faces on the products. The items are meant to look harmless and disguise the dangers of taking controlled substances. Other paraphernalia made to look like magic markers can conceal pipes, and small, hand-painted, blown glass items look more like pretty trinkets than pipes or stash containers.

How can you tell if your child is using drugs? You may already know the physical warning signs, but it’s time to learn what paraphernalia are used to engage in drug-related activities and how to identify these items. Parents’ attentiveness is critical. By knowing what to look for, parents can continue to play an important role in the lives of their child.