Parents
& Carers
For increasing
numbers of young people, whether they use drugs or alcohol themselves
or know others who use them, drugs are a part of their everyday experience.
Teachers, parents and others who have close contacts with young people
are therefore more and more likely to need to talk to them about drugs.
Talking about drugs can include giving information or advice, or allowing
young people to explore their thoughts and feelings about the subject.
KDAAT encourages parents to talk to their children about drugs and alcohol
as they may provide perspectives that their children will not recieve
else-where.
Many adults find it difficult
to talk to young people about drugs and drug use for a range of reasons.
For example:
- It can be hard to know
where to start with such a sensitive subject, or how to react if a young
person brings it up
- Sometimes people think
that talking about a serious subject like drugs should involve counselling,
but don’t feel they have the necessary skills or experience
- It often seems that young
people know more about drugs than adults, which means adults can lack
confidence in their ability to have anything meaningful to say
Dos and Don'ts when talking
to young people about drugs
The following do's and don'ts
may be helpful when talking to a child or young person:
Do |
– |
Prepare yourself for what you may hear
and think about how you will act / respond and what you will do
with this information. Remember if a child discloses information
to you which you then passed on they may see this as a betrayal
of trust |
Do |
– |
Be clear about what you are trying
to achieve by talking. For example you may be aiming to address
the young person's drug use, to give information or advice, to explore
feelings about drugs, or to provide counselling |
Do |
– |
Listen carefully to what the young
person is saying. If you don't understand some of the terms she/he
uses, ask for an explanation |
Do |
– |
Focus on the person, not just on the
drug or alcohol use |
Do |
– |
Try to use open questions, which will
enable the young person to talk and explore ideas |
Do |
– |
Be positive. Giving warnings such as
- X is very dangerous' may backfire by making X sound exciting or
glamorous. Highlighting positive images of health and promoting
self-esteem may be more productive |
Do |
– |
Check your facts - ensure any information
you give is accurate. You might want to look at drug and alcohol
together with your child |
Do |
– |
Keep things in perspective - remember
that, for some people, experimenting with drugs is a phase they
pass through and come out of without suffering serious harm - As
a parent or carer you can play a key role in this |
Do |
– |
Accept the limits of what you can hope
to achieve. Many young people will not immediately give up using
drugs however your advise and support can help to show them other
options |
| |
|
|
Don't |
– |
Panic. There are several organisations
available who can help. |
Don't |
– |
Try to talk in depth to someone who
is intoxicated |
Don't |
– |
Lose sight of what you aimed to achieve
when you began |
Don't |
– |
Forget your child will not necessarily
share your point of view. Attitudes and values regarding drugs vary
enormously. |
Don't |
– |
Try to use slang terms or jargon you
are not completely familiar with |
| |
|
|
If you want to talk to someone
or get support, please contact Grey Zebra.
Grey Zebra provide a range
of drug and alcohol services in Kent. They can be contacted on 01622 817777,
you can visit their website at www.kenwardtrust.org.uk,
or e-mail them at familiesandcarers@kenwardtrust.org.uk
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