Sometimes the first indication that a family member may be using drugs is not the drug itself. It may be an unfamiliar object found in a bedroom, vehicle, backpack or elsewhere around the home.

Many everyday objects can also have completely innocent uses. Finding one of these items does not prove that someone is using drugs. Context and patterns matter.

This page provides examples of objects that can sometimes be associated with drug use.

Objects That May Raise Questions

• Foil that is repeatedly burnt or contains unexplained residue
• Unexplained syringes or injection equipment
• Loose or unidentified pills
• Prescription bottles belonging to someone else
• Small digital scales
• Unusual combinations of bags, containers, powders or residue
• Ordinary household objects that appear altered or repeatedly associated with other concerning items

No single object proves drug use. Consider what you find in the context of other changes you have observed.

Small Plastic Bags and Containers

Small resealable bags, folded packets, small containers and other packaging can be used to store many things, including drugs.

By themselves, they mean very little. Repeatedly finding unusual packaging—particularly if it contains residue or appears alongside other warning signs—may warrant attention.

Pipes and Smoking Devices

Pipes and other smoking devices vary considerably in appearance.

Some are manufactured specifically for smoking cannabis or other substances, while ordinary household objects can sometimes be repurposed. Rather than trying to determine exactly what an unfamiliar object has been used for, consider its presence alongside other evidence.

Foil

Small pieces of foil may sometimes be associated with drug use, particularly when they are repeatedly found burnt, discoloured or containing unexplained residue. Foil obviously has many ordinary household uses, so its presence alone is not meaningful.

Syringes and Injection Equipment

Syringes can have completely legitimate medical uses. An unexplained syringe or other injection-related equipment may nevertheless raise concern, particularly when found with unknown substances or other drug-related items.

Used needles should be treated cautiously because of the possibility of accidental injury or exposure to blood.

Prescription Bottles and Loose Pills

A prescription bottle is not drug paraphernalia. Many people legitimately take prescription medications.

Concern may arise when medications are found without a prescription, bottles belong to somebody else, large quantities of loose pills are being stored without explanation, or medication repeatedly disappears more quickly than expected.

Do not attempt to identify an unknown tablet solely by comparing it with a photograph.

Small Digital Scales

Small digital scales have many legitimate uses, but they can also be associated with weighing drugs. A scale becomes more significant when it appears alongside unexplained powders, numerous small packages, drugs, large amounts of cash or other concerning items.

A scale and packaging together may also raise questions about drug selling rather than drug use alone.

See Signs a Family Member May Be Involved in Criminal Activity for that distinction.

Spoons and Other Household Objects

Ordinary household objects can sometimes be adapted for drug use. A spoon, straw, piece of foil, lighter or similar object is not evidence of drug use simply because it appears in someone’s belongings. Unusual modification, residue, repeated unexplained examples, or several related objects found together may provide more context.

Don’t Try to Identify an Unknown Substance Yourself

If you find an unknown powder, tablet, liquid or other substance, do not taste or consume it in an attempt to determine what it is.

Photographs on the internet—including those in this archive—cannot reliably establish the contents of an unknown substance.

Look at the Larger Pattern

The purpose of recognizing possible paraphernalia is not to turn a parent or family member into an investigator. It is to help answer a much simpler question:

Is there enough here that I should be concerned?

An unfamiliar object may mean nothing. Several unexplained objects combined with significant changes in behaviour, money, friends or daily routines may deserve closer attention.

See Warning Signs of Drug Use for the broader signs families may notice.