Three out of four adults concerned about teenagers’ exposure to drugs

Most adults in Britain today are worried about young people’s exposure to drugs. In a new poll conducted by YouGov, three out of every four adults said they were concerned about the level of exposure that teenagers have to illegal drugs. As many as 42% of respondents said they were “very concerned” about the widespread availability of drugs to young people.

Responding to the high level of concern amongst parents about the risks to their children of experimenting with drugs, the drugs and alcohol treatment charity Addaction launched a family guide to drugs and alcohol entitled ‘Know what you’re talking about.’ The guide is designed to provide basic information and advice to parents and carers whose teenage children may be experimenting with drugs or alcohol.

The guide contains information on:
• What to do in an emergency (answer - don’t panic; put your child in the recovery position; call a doctor)
• How to talk about drugs with your teenage child (answer - stay calm, don’t get angry, listen to their views, know the facts)
• The effects and legal status of a range of the most widely used drugs.

Addaction spokesperson Alan Booth said: “Many parents don’t feel confident talking about drugs with their teenage children. But we know that discussing the subject as a family can help stop young people getting into trouble. This guide gives parents basic information to make them more confident about raising the issue.”
Addaction is distributing copies of the guide to all MPs who have children, and the charity asks MPs to help raise awareness of the dangers that drugs and alcohol pose to young people.

Addaction - Jan 2010

www.addaction.org.uk

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