Support for parents in key role

Parents are to be given increased support for their key role in informing young people about the dangers of drugs. Almost one in four 10 to 16 year olds in Northern Ireland has been offered drugs and one in three has said if they wanted, they could easily get drugs, the Health Promotion Agency revealed today.

The survey, which included more than 6,500 young people, also showed that of those who had been offered drugs, more than half had experimented with them at least once and a third had continued using drugs. These latest figures highlight the need to continue to provide young people with support and information in relation to drugs. The Agency is responding to this need for information by encouraging parents to find out more about drugs and talk to their children about them as well as targeting young people directly.

Recognising that parents themselves need accurate and up-to-date information, an information booklet Drugs and solvents a guide for parents will be inserted into a number of newspapers tomorrow as a follow on to a recent television advertising campaign on drugs aimed at parents.

Speaking at the launch of this latest initiative, Rob Phipps, Alcohol and Drugs Programme Manager for the Health Promotion Agency said: "It is clear from this latest research that many young people are being offered drugs and some of them are not only experimenting but going on to become regular users. There is a need therefore, to provide young people with credible and accurate information about the dangers of drugs.

He added: "Every year we have a new group of young people who are being offered drugs, which makes it necessary to provide this information on an ongoing basis and it is here that parents do have a vital role to play.

"Parents are understandably worried about drugs and we know from our own research with parents that they need and want information on this issue. Information such as how to tell if your child is taking drugs, where to go for help and what to do in an emergency, as well as how to talk to your child about drugs was requested by parents.

"The parents booklet covers all of these issues as well as information about specific drugs. If parents are concerned there are a number of local organisations listed in the booklet which can provide them with help and advice. Help and advice can also be obtained by ringing a freephone 24 hour drugs helpline on 0800 77 66 00, " said Rob.

The parents booklet is part of a £175,000 public information campaign on drugs that also includes television and radio advertising and leaflets aimed at young people. It is hoped that parents will use the information booklet to raise the issue of drugs with their children and will find it a valuable resource.

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