Expert: Peter L. - 3/5/2010

Question
i found what looks like a broken pen " shell " in my sons room while cleaning.... it has a burn like residue inside and smells like a bad orange... does not smell like pot or smoke... please help

Answer
Hi Kathy,

Hmmm.. hard to say what that is without actually seeing it.  I would suspect crack, considering what might be the means he appears to be using it.  When smoking pot, there usually is a pipe with black tar or resin on it or rolling papers, and you usually see seeds or twigs around in a drawer.

You might just ask him what it is, recognizing that he may 1) lie about what it is, and 2) get very angry you went through his room.

Whatever the case, you may have to observe him carefully to spot changes that might alert you to a drug use problem. The site below, and others like it will help educate you in this regard.

http://www.ehow.com/how_1298_determine-child-using.html

Thank you for your question!
Peter