School Drug Education and Road Aware

Resilience and Drug Education

• Leavers
• Interesting Research
• What Parents Can Do

Leavers

Leavers encourages positive experiences for both school leavers and host communities during the end-of-school celebrations. The project aims to identify, promote and support local communities' strategies to reduce harm to school leavers, the host community and schools during school leavers' celebrations.

For further information about Leavers, contact the Office of Crime Prevention, WA on (08) 92229761 or visit the website www.leaverswa.com.au.

Some interesting research to think about …

Current research indicates that parents provide very important influences on young people and their drug use behaviour.

Parenting style
A study in New Orleans in 1997 added to evidence from previous studies that a parenting style which offers warmth and support, provides clear rules and boundaries, sets limits, is consistent, and allows young people room to make some decisions for themselves can have a positive impact when it comes to substance use among children.

Parents as role models
The behaviour of parents and caregivers also needs to be considered. They need to know how important it is to be a positive role model in the family with regard to their own drug use behaviours. A study conducted in Michigan in 1995 to compare parents' and childrens' reports of child and parent alcohol use, concluded that children were more aware of parental drinking than parents were of children drinking, and they were less likely to consider drinking to be socially undesirable behaviour.(2)

Expressing negative attitudes where necessary
It is important for parents and caregivers to express negative attitudes about their teenagers' drug use, such as smoking and drinking alcohol, even if they themselves smoke and drink.

Keeping in touch with other families
It is valuable for parents and caregivers to develop mutual friendships with the parents of their teenagers' friends in order to monitor where young people are at certain times and to avoid being manipulated. Parents and caregivers can help each other by establishing consistent expectations and keeping in touch.

Family rules about all drugs
Family rules about drugs, including medication, need to be clearly defined for all family members, adhered to, and then renegotiated as the children and teenagers grow older.

Keeping up-to-date with correct information
Parents and caregivers need to be kept up to date with correct information on a range of drug-related topics including counselling services.
Home activity sheets (as opposed to homework) are cited in the literature as one of the best ways to involve parents, caregivers and family members. Needless to say, incentives are still required in order to get most students interested enough to actually use them with adult family members at home. (3)

1. Cohen D A and Rice, J. "Parenting styles, adolescent substances use and academic achievement." Journal of Drug Education Vol 2, No 27, 1997 pp 199-211
2. Dielman TE, Leech, S L and Loveland-Chern. "Parents' and children's reports on parenting, and practices on parent and child alcohol use" Drugs and Society Vol 8, 1995, p 83-101
3. D L Elmguist. "A systematic review of parent-oriented programs to prevent children's use of alcohol and other drugs" Journal of Drug Education Vol 3, No 25 pp 257-279

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What can parents do to assist in the prevention of drug use problems?

Model responsible use of drugs (parents are very powerful role models)

• Use alcohol moderately.
• Do not drink and drive.
• Serve alternatives to alcohol at parties (your own and your children’s).
• Serve food when alcohol is served.
• Be a non-smoker.
• If you are a smoker, attempt to give up, and explain to your children why you are quitting (ask for their help).
• If you can’t quit, smoke outside.
• If you smoke, never ask your children to light your cigarette for you.
• Report shopkeepers who sell cigarettes to minors.
• Use medicines according to the directions.
• Discuss use of medicines and analgesics with your children.
• Store medicines in a locked cabinet out of reach of children.

Discuss the topic of drug use with your children

• Make your views and attitudes clear; be honest and avoid double standards.
• Encourage your children to express their views and take them seriously.
• Discuss smoking with your children before the age at which they are likely to experiment (before 12 years of age).
• Ensure that your children understand that the majority of teenagers and adults do NOT smoke.
• Ensure that your children know several ways to refuse offers of cigarettes, alcohol or other drugs and get them to practise.
• Ensure that your children know of alternative ways to get home from parties if the driver has been drinking.
• Discuss ways to reduce the risks associated with drinking alcohol.
• Discuss your views about illegal drugs (don’t lecture).
• Focus on the short-term problems of drug use (the long-term problems are not as relevant).

Set clear family rules about drug use

• For example, this house is a Smoke-Free Zone.
• Teenagers do look for limits and stability, so apply your family rules and consequences firmly and consistently.

Teach your children first aid skills

• Make sure that your children know what to do if someone collapses after using alcohol or other drugs.

Contact PDIS (Parent Drug Information Service) 9442 5050 or ADIS (Alcohol And Drug Information Service) 9442 5000 for further information.

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