A d v e r tis e m e n t

Raising the topic of drugs

with your children isn’t

always easy, but here are

a few tips on how to make

your chat a successful one

U

nfortunately drugs are a very real

part of teenage life. While your

kids may not have already tried

them, in 2007, 38 per cent of Australians

aged over 14 years had used an illicit

drug such as ecstasy, marijuana and

methamphetamines at some point.* One

of the most effective deterrents to drug

use among young people is a parent

who is devoted to spending time with

their kids, talking to them about their

friends, school life and interests.

L IS T E N IN G IS T H E K E Y

When approaching the topic of drugs

with your children, it is best to be honest

and open with them and show that you

are prepared to listen. Let them know

that you would prefer them not to put

themselves in a situation where they are

exposed to drugs in the first place, but

that you will always be there to help them

and colect them at any hour if need be.

HELP GIVE THEM THE

CONFIDENCE TO SAY ‘NO’

Here are

10

ways to

encourage your kids to talk

about drugs with you.

Generally kids expect and appreciate

some ground rules By involving them

in setting boundaries and keeping the

communication lines open, your kids

will be more responsive and feel that

they are able to come to you to discuss

whatever Is on their mind.

By talking to them about some of

the side effects of illicit drugs, such as

■ Be an active part of their lives

■ Listen to them

■ Be a role model

■ Be honest with thorn

■ Pick your moment to chat

■ Be calm throughout

■ Avoid conflict

■ Keep on talking

■ Set clear boundanes

■ Focus on positives

depression, memory loss, anxiety and

hallucination, this will go some way to

empowering them to make an informed

decision to reject drugs.

S o m e t h i n g

t o

t a l k

a b o u t

F o r in f o r m a t io n c a ll 1 8 0 0 2 5 0 0 1 5 o r v is it a u s t r a lia . g o v . a u / d r u g s

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NATIONAL DRUGS CAMPAIGN

* N a r o m D ru g Strategy H ousahoW B u v s y 20 07

Authorised b y the Australian G overnm ent, Capital Hill, Canberra.

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