Parents in rural communities have ‘limited awareness’ of drug dangers

RURAL parents have limited knowledge of drug-related issues and do not know how to access services if their children are affected, research has found.

Marie-Claire Van Hout, who lectures in youth at risk and therapeutic recreation at Waterford Institute of Technology, said the research provided an anecdotal “snapshot” of parental perceptions of youth substance use in rural Ireland.

The study, Irish Parents’ Perceptions of Rural Youth Alcohol and Drug Use, found rural parents are particularly vulnerable when it comes to drug and alcohol use awareness, and how to access key services for the emerging problem.