|
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.
END
|
