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There can best be classified as general behavioral signs and symptoms; signs and symptoms induced by the particular drug; and finally, physical signs related to the method of drugging.

General behavioral signs and symptoms

Initially, especially in the young, there is behavioral evidence that they are doing something "naughty". This guilty behaviour is unrelated to any drug effect. The individual is "shifty", avoids direct eye contact, is evasive and frequently makes up untruthful stories about activities, friends and pocket money.

As matters progress, a general change of both behaviour and appearance without any apparent cause, can be observed. These changes are consistently progressive and different from the accustomed behaviour and appearance. Simple examples:

• slovenliness where previously there was tidiness
• disinterest in activities where previously there was active participation (especially noticeable in extra-mural school activities such as sports and various societies);
• changes in appetite (it is interesting to note here that initially, bhang (cannabis sativa)abuse increases the appetite);
• withdrawal from family communal activities by isolating themselves in their rooms or spending most time away from home;
• changing friends or isolation from friends and becoming loners;
• unaccountable mood swings;
• lying and dishonesty;
• impaired scholastic or work performance;
• ultimately, as the drug dependence develops and money supplies become inadequate, there will be theft of household money and the disappearance of household articles. At this stage, dishonest stories will abound: lost watches, radios and tape recorders; "non-returns" by friends of shirts, shoes, sporting equipment and diversions of suspicion on domestic personnel or delivery staff.
• At this last stage, the dependent becomes dysfunctional. There is absenteeism and ultimately dropout from school, college and work.

Signs Related to Drugging Method

• There are various methods used to administer drugs. The drug abuser will take his drugs by mouth, by inhalation (smoking or sniffing) and by self-injection (usually intravenously, but also intramuscularly or subcutaneously).
• Oral drug use leaves no telltale signs, excepting the smell of substances such as alcohol. Attempts to hide these smells by the excessive use of peppermints, chewing gum or mouth sprays are common.
• Signs to observe are again the presence of the identifying smell of bhang on the person's breath, clothes or in the room as well as the dark brown cannabis (bhang) stains on the hands of the bhang smoker.
• Bhang abuse (even orally) causes congestion of the conjunctivae. Attempts to counter by decongestant eyedrops are commonly tried.
• The excessive burning of incense and the use of deodorant sprays often disguise the smell of bhang
• Finding some of the paraphernalia of smoking, such as bhang pipes, water pipes and commonly, broken bottle tops, are other giveaways.

Inhalant abuse by means of sniffing; (or "snorting") volatile substances can often be detected by the presence of

• "glue" stains on clothing, bed sheets, handkerchiefs or paper tissues. Plastic bags and cardboard tunnels are other indicators of sniffing.
• Local irritation to nasal mucous membrane leading to chronic rhinitis and conjunctivitis and damage and perforation of the nasal septum is diagnostic of cocaine sniffing.
• The unfortunate victims of self-injection invariably show the numerous puncture marks on arms, legs, hands, feet and groins. Frequently there is evidence of infected areas, cellulitis, phlebitis and thrombo-phlebitis.
• In the same way, the discovery of needles and syringes in wardrobes or handbags provides additional evidence.

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