Booklet

Most parents are concerned about drugs, especially as our children grow towards adulthood and reach the age of experimentation. When our children ask searching questions about themselves and the society they are growing up into, parents need to be prepared with the right information. This guide is designed to give parents confidence when discussing alcohol and other drugs with their children. It provides accurate information and useful tips, which will help parents think through the issues and support their children. Booklet 25 pages

This booklet provides an overview of the effects of alcohol and illegal drugs so people can be well informed and talk confidently about these drugs if they choose to do so.

This guide has been designed to help identify various drugs, provide information about those drugs, and assist in addressing drug-related issues. It provides information on alcohol and some of the more commonly used illegal drugs, guidelines on how to deal with suspected or actual drug usage, and tips on communicating with teenagers.

When teenagers ask if they can have a party, parents often feel a bit confused and say yes without thinking through all the issues. It is important for children to have fun, celebrate and learn social skills, but no one wants drunken behaviour, property damage, personal injury and gatecrashers.

As children grow and explore the world we live in, they will come across some unsafe situations. It is important that we talk to our children about safety so that they can make decisions that help them to stay safe. Young children who practise strategies to keep themselves safe will be better prepared for handling the more complex safety issues they will face in adolescence. This booklet is a starting point, a springboard for conversations about
safety between adults and children aged from 5 to 12. It provides information about a range of safety issues for young people, and discusses how we can best encourage young children to keep themselves safe.