PARENTS are being invited back into the classroom for free awareness sessions about drug and alcohol misuse among young people.

The Department of Education and Children will be staging two-hour sessions in schools from January 2011.

The adults-only sessions are entitled - "If you don't talk to your children about drugs and alcohol…who will?"

Topics including the drug and alcohol curriculum taught in schools, trends, substance use and the law, family dynamics and how to speak to children about drug and alcohol misuse will be covered.

Orla O'Donoghue, drug and alcohol liaison officer for the Department of Education and Children, said: "We have delivered this programme for a number of years with the support of Care for the Family although of course we keep upgrading the content as drug and alcohol trends and use change on a regular basis.

"The feedback we receive from parents is fantastic and encouraging. Parents feel that they do not know enough about drugs and alcohol to discuss the topic with their children but this programme will supply them with the confidence and knowledge required to support their children and, in particular, teenagers who may be facing difficult pressures and choices."

The first session will take place at Castle Rushen High School from 7pm to 9pm on Tuesday, January 25. Other dates will be released in due course.

To book a place call 01624 693836 or email cpdbookings@doe.sch.im