Parenting 

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Children and drugs

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What parents can do

• If your children feel that you are available to them and interested in their views, they are more likely to confide in you.
• Try to keep them well-informed and don’t make it a taboo subject.
• Talk to them about their feelings on all subjects, including drugs.
• Take your children seriously and respect them by not judging them.
• Be firm about your views but don’t be aggressive.
• Set an example over the way you use tobacco and alcohol. Research has shown that it does send signals for good or bad.
• Be honest about your own drug-taking in the past.
• Encourage your children to invite their friends home. Friends can sometimes be an indication of what is going on in your child’s life.
• Show your children that you care. Reinforce the knowledge that you love them.

Things to avoid at all costs

• Don’t ever be tempted to bully your children.
• Remember how it felt to be lectured, so don’t lecture them.
• Being sanctimonious doesn’t help your child.
• Avoid trying scare tactics with shock horror stories. They don’t work.
• Do explain that it’s illegal and can lead to trouble.
• Explain that drugs can affect their health now and in the future.

Some signs that may signal drug use

• Mood swings from happy and alert to sullen and moody.
• Unusual aggression and irritability.
• Loss of interest in sport, hobbies and friends.
• Loss of appetite.
• Furtive behaviour and evidence of telling lies.
• Unexplained loss of money or belongings.
• Unusual smell in the house.
• Unexplained marks on the body.

Where to get help

• Be realistic. Your child may require more help than you can provide.
• There are agencies and helpgroups who will be able to advise.
• If the drug taking has become a regular thing they may not be able to stop immediately. Support gradual improvement and be aware that slip-ups may occur.
• Don’t blame yourself. Drug taking is often a passing phase and not always the result of major psychological problems.

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