DRUG AND ALCOHOL AWARENESS

Vaping

Do you know what they’re vaping?

We are urging you to find out more and talk about the hidden impacts of vapes with your children. Alarmingly, we are seeing an increase in the number of young people trying vaping.

Young people may think they are simply inhaling flavoured water, this is far from the truth. Vapes can have the same harmful chemicals found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray. Vapes are colourful, with flavours that make them appealing.

You wouldn’t put cleaning products in your food, so why would you want to put it into your lungs?

What you can do as a parent or carer

There are ways you can help protect your children from vaping:

• Whether you suspect your child is vaping or not, take the time to talk to them about it and help them understand all of the risks. It is never too late to have the conversation.

• Try to start the conversation with your child in a relaxed easy-going way, perhaps taking the cue from around you, such as a note from school, a news story about it, or seeing people vaping on the street.

• If your child is vaping, encourage them to stop, let them know that help is available and you are there for them.

• Learn about the different types of vapes available and the risks associated with using these products.

• Set a good example by being tobacco or vape free.

• Report those who are selling vapes to minors or selling vapes containing nicotine by completing the onling reporting form or calling the Tobacco Information Line on 1800 357 412.

Support to help your child quit vaping

Book an appointment with their general practitioner or other health service for help to quit vaping.

Quitline counsellors are available to answer any questions about vapes on 13 7848 (13 QUIT). Quitline is a telephone-based service, offering information and advice. Quitline counsellors provide tips and strategies, and help to plan your child’s quit attempts, based on their own needs and preferences. They can also help you think of ways to approach a conversation with your child or loved one about vaping.

The Aboriginal Quitline is also available on 13 7848. Run by Aboriginal sounsellors, the Aboriginal Quitline has counsellors who speak Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin and Vietnamese, you can ask to speak to one of these counsellors. For people who prefer to speak in a different language, Quitline uses the Telephone Interpreter Service (TIS).

The cancer Institute NSW iCanQuit provides information on quitting methods, links to support groups and top tips to help your child quit.

For more information visit: https://www.health. nsw.gov.au/tobacco/pages/vaping-parents.aspx

Learn more about Alcohol Awareness

ALCOHOL ‘

Talking to your kids aged 15-17

For some parents, talking to your teenager about alcohol and setting rules and boundaries to keep them safe, can be daunting. Many parents feel that it’s their responsibility to create strategies and educate their children on when, where and how to drink. However some parents can struggle with how to provide this guidance.

It’s vital that parents keep the lines of communication open through the teen years. Make sure you have frank discussions about alcohol.

• Debunk some of the popular and unhelpful myths – e.g. not every parent provides their child with alcohol.

• Be prepared. Teenagers will raise the topic of alcohol if and when they’re ready to talk. Be ready to have the conversation and address their queries – that’s when they’re most open to hear your advice. Remember to plan what you want to say to them ahead of time.

• Be aware of your own role modelling when it comes to alcohol. Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children’s attitude and behaviours towards alcohol by being role models for their kids.

Tips for the talk

• Pick your time. The car can be a great place and time for constructive conversations – they’re a captive audience and there’s also the benefit that they don’t have to be facing you.

• Be consistent in your own behaviour. It’s easier for teens to model their behaviour on positive role models when it’s consistent.

• Draw the line between adult activities and child activities. Don’t be afraid to let your child know that some things aren’t appropriate for teens. If you believe that drinking alcohol is only something that adults do, make sure they hear your views on the matter.

• Challenge unfounded statements. If your child tells you that ‘everyone else drinks’, ask them to provide proof.

• Challenge their beliefs. Be aware that teenagers are likely to want to drink alcohol believing it will help them fit in. They need to know they can fit in without drinking.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your GP or local health professional is available for you and your teen.

Binge drinking – putting things in perspective

Binge drinking is not just about the number of drinks you have – it’s about drinking with the specific intention of ‘getting drunk’.

Binge drinking receives a great deal of media attention and can lead to shaping teens beliefs that this is the norm. There’s no denying that there are many young people who drink in risky ways, but there are many teenagers who are trying their best to keep themselves and their friends as safe as possible.

Remember: kids absorb your drinking.

Australian research shows that in 2011 around 63% of 17 year olds were not considered to be current drinkers, so this finding may challenge the belief that everybody is doing it. However of those 17 year olds who were considered to be current drinkers, around 19% drank in a risky way (more than 4 drinks) at least once in the week before they were surveyed.

That means there’s only a minority of kids who are binge drinking – but they’re still obvious and influential.

Some young people ‘preload’ to save money –quickly drinking large amounts of alcohol at home before heading out. Often they’re already intoxicated before they walk out the front door. By the time they get to where they’re going their judgement is clouded, causing them to continue drinking more than they intended to, so they don’t save money at all.

If your teen really believes getting drunk every weekend is normal, there could be other factors at play. Perhaps there are other influences in their lives (peers, older siblings, relatives) or problems that you’re unaware of. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions.

Talking to your kids aged 9-14

Kids are interested in what’s going on around them and seeing how their role models use alcohol is part of this. So it’s important to start talking to your kids about alcohol. And the right time to start is right now.

Research shows that parents have the greatest impact on shaping their children’s attitude to alcohol and future drinking behaviour. The role alcohol plays in your life will have an effect on them too. They might ask you about alcohol and what it’s like to drink it. Always answer honestly.

• Talk to your child about alcohol and the importance of drinking in moderation. Explain what happens to the body when you drink too young and too much.

• Set rules – the most important one being not to drink. Be sure to discuss this rule and agree on the consequences if not followed.

• Teach them to say ‘no’ and that not everyone drinks.

• Ask them how they feel about you drinking alcohol. What attitudes have they already formed about it? It will help you reflect on your own drinking behaviours and open up the lines of communication.

Don’t turn a foolie this Schoolies Schoolies. It’s a little word for a big week. It’s the holiday Year 12s all over Australia have been waiting for. But above all, it’s the chance to celebrate the end of school…finally. Hold up. Before you race out there, make sure you’re prepared. Not knowing the risks or what to do in an emergency can turn things ugly, fast.

Wherever you’re planning on spending schoolies, it’s always good to have a plan. Around alcohol people can change and the risks are high.

So here are a few tips for a fun, safe Schoolies Week:

• Let your parents know where you’re staying and who you’re going with.

• Keep in contact with your parents throughout the week – so they know you’re safe (they’re less likely to hassle you then too)

• Register as a school leaver with the local council (or schoolies organisation) in the area you’re visiting.

• Always have your phone on you (and charged!)

• Put your ‘in case of emergency number’ (ICE) in your phone.

• In an emergency call 000.

• Keep money aside for emergencies.

• Eat before you drink – preferably carbohydrate-rich food such as rice, bread, pasta, pizza etc. It’ll help slow the rate your body absorbs alcohol.

• Be extra cautious with drinks. Avoid drinks with high alcohol content and beware of drink spiking – don’t let your drink out of your sight.

• Pace your alcohol intake and hydrate with non-alcoholic drinks like water.

• Stay with friends and keep an eye out for one another.

• Don’t drink drive or get into a car with anyone who’s been drinking.

• Avoid risky situations such as swimming after drinking or getting into arguments and fights.

Top 10 Tips For Parents

Here are 10 ways to encourage your kids to talk about drugs with you.

1

Be an active part of their lives

Make sure you set aside time to spend with your kids. Take an interest in their interests and establish a routine for doing things with them. Spending time as a family is important, like eating together every day. When they go out, don’t be afraid to ask where they’re going or who they’ll be with.

2Listen to your kids

Showing that you’re prepared and willing to listen will help your kids feel more comfortable about listening to you. During a conversation try not to interrupt them or react in a way that will stop whatever you’re discussing. Encourage them to feel comfortable about telling you their problems, and ask for their input on family decisions to show that you value their opinions.

3Be a role model

When it comes to drugs there’s no such thing as ‘do as I say, not as I do’. If you take drugs yourself you can’t expect your kids to take your advice. It’s important not to underestimate the influence your behaviour has on them, particularly when it comes to alcohol or tobacco, or misuse of medications.

4Be honest with them

It’s natural that you won’t necessarily know everything about drugs. So while it’s important to be informed, you shouldn’t pretend to have answers to every question. Be prepared to say ‘I don’t know but I’ll find out for you’. If you’re honest and clear about where you stand, your kids will find it easier to be honest with you.

5Pick your moment

Make sure you pick the right time to discuss drugs with your kids, by looking for natural opportunities as they arise. This might be when you’re all watching TV, or when they’re talking about someone at their school or in their friendship group.

6Be calm

When it comes to talking about drugs, being calm and rational is important, as well as not overreacting. Make sure not to ridicule or lecture, as this could make future discussions about drugs more difficult and make your kids more resistant to talking about them at all.

7Avoid conflict

It is difficult to solve a problem where there’s a conflict. Try to see their point of view while encouraging them to understand yours. If a confrontation does develop, stop the conversation and come back to it when you’re both calmer.

8Keep talking

Once you’ve had a discussion about drugs it’s important to have another. Start talking to your kids about drugs early, and be willing to talk to your kids about the issue at any time.

9Set clear boundaries

Generally kids expect and appreciate some ground rules. By actively involving them in setting the rules you can encourage them to take more responsibility for sticking to them. Once you’ve decided on these rules, enforce them, and let your kids know the consequences of breaking them. Discuss and agree to ways your kids will act if they find themselves in situations where drugs are present. For example, let them know that you’ll always collect them if they need you to, whatever the hour.

However, make it absolutely clear that you would rather they didn’t put themselves in a situation where they are likely to be exposed to drugs in the first place.

10Focus on positives

Be sure to reward your kids’ good behaviour and emphasise the things they do well. Encourage them to feel good about themselves and let them know that they deserve respect and should also respect themselves.

For more information visit “drinkwise.org.au