How do you deal with a teen who is using drugs?

I have a nephew who just turned 15, and it is becoming apparent that he is experimenting with drugs along with some of his peers.  He is an otherwise good kid who still gets good grades, but I worry that if nothing is done, he will just get worse.  His mother was also a drug user in her youth, and is absolutely useless in dealing with a situation like this.  I don't like interfering in the family, but feel some kind of obligation.  If I confront the kid directly, it is not likely to work, and it will only damage the fragile relationship I have with my sister.  I also don't want to involve the authorities at this point.  Any suggestions on how a delicate situation like this can be dealt with?

Hello,

I had this issue within my own family and it's a tough one.  Do you have the sort of relationship with your nephew where you are a trusted adult to talk with?  If not, can you spend more time with him, to try to get to that point?  What I found helpful in dealing with kids (my own, my siblings' kids, and those I tutored and such) was to spend time with them in non-threatening situations and just talk.  Talk and talk, monologues on related subjects, not asking questions (questions can make them feeling like you're grilling them) but talking about situations I'd been in and choices I'd made, both good and bad.  Eventually, the kids will make a comment or two, and then you can have a casual conversation that can lead to others that can be less casual.  Talking in a car is especially good, as you're not looking directly at the teen (that can feel threatening to them) and they are sort of a captive audience.  Be careful to not react in a way that will feel judgmental to them, no matter what they say--sometimes they'll test you a bit, just to check if you're really 'on their side' or not.  Time, patience, lots of love and understanding and making it clear that you're on his side, even when you may not approve of his choices.

I would think you are right in not confronting the kid.  Have you talked to the mom or dad about this? I know mom may not know how to handle this but she is still the one God put into authority over this kid.  Could you spend more time with mom or kid?  Sometimes, a crisis like this turns out to be used to cause the whole family to grow and it can be painful.

Dear Charlie, 

I do not know where your faith is, however God says in the bible James 1:5 "those who lack wisdom let him ask of God and He will give it generously.

I can tell you and so can any one, but God has the right way to deal with this, and it will be with great love.  Love covers a multitude of sins. He will guide you into all truth...Sound like this young man need a heaping about.