Teens and drugs

Research seems to show that a significant number of young people have access to, experiment with or misuse drugs of some sort, at some time in, particularly, the teenage years. Parents want to talk with their children about substance abuse and need the skills and confidence to discuss the subject. To do that, they need to know more about:

different types of drugs
their effects and the risks
the sort of pressure their children may feel under to try them.

Parents are often concerned that challenging behaviour, such as truancy, stealing and fighting, as well as self-destructive conduct such as self-neglect or depression, is linked to drug use, and need support to know how best to help their child. It is clear that parents cannot prevent teenagers having access to drugs. Research suggests that more than 60% of young people have tried cannabis by the time they are 18. However, fewer than 10% have experimented with 'hard' drugs and for most it is part of the rebellion and exploration of adolescence rather than a life choice. What parents can do is know more and feel more in control and help their teenagers make better, safer decisions about using or refusing drugs.

Drug education is part of PSHE in schools and is tackled by many youth work agencies. Parents are often not included in this work and need many more opportunities to get information about drug use and to develop their skills in talking about drugs with their children. Parents Together groups and workshops give you the opportunity to share your experiences with other parents and to get some fresh ideas on how to help you and your children make the most of life. The groups usually take place face to face and some are also telephone based.