PARENTS AND SCHOOL BASED DRUG EDUCATION

“ I’ve had the drug talk from my parents, but it wasn’t really a talk, more of a threat.” Young person aged 15.

“ I’ve had the drug talk from my parents, but it wasn’t really a talk, more of a threat.”

Young person aged 15.

Drug and Alcohol Advisory Group - Evidence Summary Paper “ Parents are the single biggest influence on young people. Evidence shows that good parenting has significant positive effects on children's achievement - even after all other factors affecting attainment have been taken into account. Parenting styles at the extremities (i.e. authoritarian/ aggressive and laissez faire) have both been shown to be risk factors in drug use. Parents’ attitudes to drugs influence young people’s attitudes, which in turn influence their behaviour. “

“ Parents are the single biggest influence on young people. Evidence shows that good parenting has significant positive effects on children's achievement - even after all other factors affecting attainment have been taken into account. Parenting styles at the extremities (i.e. authoritarian/ aggressive and laissez faire) have both been shown to be risk factors in drug use. Parents’ attitudes to drugs influence young people’s attitudes, which in turn influence their behaviour. “

Parents and Drug Prevention “ The research found several positive effects on parents. Parents described themselves as having a more accurate knowledge and realistic understanding of the potential of drugs prevention. They also described themselves as having greater confidence in communicating with their children, in positively influencing them and in coping with any drug-related behaviour.” Velleman R, Mistral W, Sanderling L (2000). Taking the message home: involving parents in drugs prevention. London: Home Office.

“ The research found several positive effects on parents. Parents described themselves as having a more accurate knowledge and realistic understanding of the potential of drugs prevention. They also described themselves as having greater confidence in communicating with their children, in positively influencing them and in coping with any drug-related behaviour.”

Velleman R, Mistral W, Sanderling L (2000). Taking the message home: involving parents in drugs prevention. London: Home Office.

Blueprint “ Recruiting parents of secondary school children to participate in drug education events is challenging. Barriers to attendance include parent perceptions of drug education, dislike of socialising with other parents and taking part in groups, time and childcare commitments, being unconvinced of the need for or value of participation. Addressing these barriers is a considerable challenge.” Martine Stead et al., (2007) Delivery of the Blueprint Programme, London: Home Office

“ Recruiting parents of secondary school children to participate in drug education events is challenging. Barriers to attendance include parent perceptions of drug education, dislike of socialising with other parents and taking part in groups, time and childcare commitments, being unconvinced of the need for or value of participation. Addressing these barriers is a considerable challenge.”

Martine Stead et al., (2007) Delivery of the Blueprint Programme, London: Home Office

Parentline Plus “ Drugs were probably the main exception to this [waiting for problems to develop], where parents were often mobilised into learning as much as possible. The internet was generally the main place parents felt they would go, apart from seeking advice from family or friends, otherwise, leaflets or other forms of literature were thought to be helpful. These parents did not seek professional advice.” Risky Behaviour and Setting Boundaries, (2008) London: Parentline Plus

“ Drugs were probably the main exception to this [waiting for problems to develop], where parents were often mobilised into learning as much as possible. The internet was generally the main place parents felt they would go, apart from seeking advice from family or friends, otherwise, leaflets or other forms of literature were thought to be helpful. These parents did not seek professional advice.”

Risky Behaviour and Setting Boundaries, (2008) London: Parentline Plus

Addaction Many young people think their parents have taken illegal drugs (19%) or continue to do so (10%) Most parents don't think their children take drugs (1%) or drink (6%) More parents think schools are doing a good job (43%) in educating their children about the realities of drugs than don’t (34%) Tale of Two Generations, (2008) London: Addaction

Many young people think their parents have taken illegal drugs (19%) or continue to do so (10%)

Most parents don't think their children take drugs (1%) or drink (6%)

More parents think schools are doing a good job (43%) in educating their children about the realities of drugs than don’t (34%)

Tale of Two Generations, (2008) London: Addaction

Mentor UK “ Overall, the young people saw the benefit of their parents being involved in supporting and educating them about drugs and alcohol, but this depended to some extent on the individual’s relationship with their parents. There was a sense that the young people, like adults, saw this as a challenge and would want to think about it and explore it in more depth to identify the most effective way to facilitate such a dialogue.” Mentor UK Youth Involvement Project, (2008) London: Mentor UK

“ Overall, the young people saw the benefit of their parents being involved in supporting and educating them about drugs and alcohol, but this depended to some extent on the individual’s relationship with their parents. There was a sense that the young people, like adults, saw this as a challenge and would want to think about it and explore it in more depth to identify the most effective way to facilitate such a dialogue.”

Mentor UK Youth Involvement Project, (2008) London: Mentor UK