Drug awareness DVD aims to educate parents
A drug awareness DVD was launched today urging parents across Ireland to educate themselves about drug misuse.
The 30-minute guide, which is available from libraries nationwide, gives families the knowledge and understanding of how to tackle the growing use of drugs among teenagers.
Empower: The Family Guide to Understanding Drugs in Ireland, focuses on a teenagers’ experience with drugs and offers advice on the signs of addiction.
Set in Tipperary it also features a guide to drug terms and language.
Launched by Liz O’Donnell, HSE will fund the distribution of 2,000 copies of the guide to secondary schools across Ireland.
“I do not believe it is overstating the case to say that substance misuse presents the most serious threat to our teenagers,” she said.
“Drug misuse is an issue every family should discuss.
“All of us would like to think our youngsters have the confidence to avoid abusing drugs and alcohol to cope with the complexities and pain of growing up. But the fact is many Irish youngsters do not have the resources to cope.
“This campaign is about empowering families with knowledge and understanding about drugs.
“Educating yourself about the issues and warning signs of any abuse can make all the difference.”
Figures recorded in 2003 among 15 and 16-year-old school children found that:
:: 88% had consumed alcohol in the past year
:: 33% had used cannabis
:: 18% had used inhalants
:: 5% had used ecstasy
HSE substance misuse counsellor Tom Needham said too many families have already been wrecked by drug addiction and misuse.
“Drug misuse can be a confusing and daunting subject for many parents,” he said.
“In many cases parents have no idea of what drugs are available or how to recognise the signs of misuse in their own children.”
Ms O’Donnell, Progressive Democrat Chief Whip, said the fact that young people, some under 15, are abusing drugs is a cause of great concern to every parent in the country and to the Government which is currently implementing a national drugs strategy.
By 2008, the Government aims to reduce the availability of drugs, enable access to treatment, reduce the risk behaviour with drugs misuse and promote greater awareness.
“Drugs are widespread,” continued Ms O’Donnell. “They are available right across the country in rural areas, small towns, and it is very important parents get to know the warning signs and the behavioural changes that take place among teenagers that are different to the usual adolescent difficulties.
“This DVD shows the apparatus and all the signs that illicit drugs are being used. It gives parents the confidence and language to raise the topic with youngsters and help them in having that conversation.”
Empower is supported by Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) and developed by the HSE and Tipperary Regional Youth Service.
