Expert Advice submitted by: Orla O'Donaghue - Department of Education and Children
Parents are being invited back into the classroom for free awareness sessions about drug and alcohol misuse amongst young people later this month.
The two hour sessions entitled "If you don't talk to your children about drugs and alcohol…who will?" will be run by Orla O'Donaghue the drug and alcohol liaison officer with the Department of Education and Children.
Orla has the following advice for parents:
"A teenager's brain is still developing and, for some, these adolescent years may be a stressful, confusing and vulnerable time.
"When alcohol and drugs are misused at this stage of teenage lives it may lead to even more confusion, poor judgement and coordination. Inhibitions are also lowered which may result in dangerous risk taking behaviour and even breaking the law.
"Parenting adolescents may also be a worrying and stressful time for mums and dads. Some parents may be totally unaware of the activities their children may be encountering on what may appear to be an innocent night out.
"The Department of Education and Children will be hosting drug and alcohol awareness sessions for parents and carers throughout the Island in 2011 to discuss these very issues. These sessions will last for two hours and are free to all who attend.
"The presentation will give the participants the knowledge of the latest trends in drug and alcohol use and misuse in particular among our young teenagers which would appear to change on a regular basis.
"It will also give insight to drug and alcohol lessons provided in primary and secondary schools under the umbrella of Personal Social Health Economic Education.
"This presentation aims for parents to feel equipped in providing supportive conversations in regards to values, attitude and behaviours towards substance use and abuse with their children.
"I provide counselling for students in our secondary schools and would say that not all young people misuse drugs or alcohol but the few that do participate may commence drinking as young as 13 years of age.
"Some students say that their parents haven't a clue what they are up to on a Friday and Saturday night. They fear their parents finding out about their activities.
"Students who present for support appear open, expressive and delighted to talk about their adventures and seek guidance on how their experience maybe a safe one.
"It would appear that some teenagers leap from being the innocent child to the experimenting, risk-taking teenager overnight and that their parents have not caught up with this sudden, private change of the child's social life.
"If you would like more information or would like to attend a presentation, please contact cpdbookings@doe.sch.im or telephone 01624 693836."
The first session will take place at Castle Rushen High School on Tuesday, January 25, from 7pm to 9pm.
Also see: Parents go back to the classroom to learn about drugs and alcohol
