Advice and Support for Parents

The Bridge

Many parents worry about their child becoming involved with drugs. They feel that they don’t know enough about drugs to prevent their child from coming to harm.
On the other hand, many parents think that getting drunk is just a normal part of growing up. But this attitude can be dangerous because there are serious risks associated with drunkenness, particularly for young people. You and your child need to be aware of these risks.
Although there are many stories in the media about drugs leading to addiction, crime and death, it is important to remember that:

• For most young people illegal drug taking is not part of normal
• Most people who try drugs do not continue using them

Many parents don’t understand why young people might want to try drugs and think that young people only use drugs if they are having problems at home or at school, for example. This is not always true. They may be attracted to drugs for similar reasons as they are to alcohol, perhaps because:

• They enjoy the short term effects
• Their friends use them
• They want the same kind of experience that they get from drinking a lot of alcohol
• They are curious about the effects
• The drugs are easily available
• As part of growing up, they may juts want to ‘break the rules’

This information was taken from a booklet produced for parents by the Department of Health. For more information please follow the link to the FRANK website. FRANK is the national drugs helpline aimed at young people and their parents.

Link to www.talktofrank.com/worriedaboutsomeone/parents/1to4.aspx