Article: Drugs and alcohol

What can we do about Drugs and Alcohol?

Peer pressure to experiment with drugs and alcohol is incredibly common in young people.

What can you do?

Young people also may be experiencing pressure to deal drugs or pressure to engage in unwanted sexual activities for drugs or alcohol (see the Child Sexual Exploitation).

  • Have open and honest conversations with your young person about drugs and alcohol. It is important to recognise that your young person may experiment with alcohol and potentially drugs at some point. Simply telling young people not to take drugs or drink alcohol isn’t enough. Inform them of the risks of taking drugs and alcohol
  • Remind young people of the law and that it is a criminal offence to supply alcohol under the age of 18 or take illegal drugs at any age. Remind your young person that if they were caught doing so they could get themselves in trouble with the police
  • Remind them of how to be safe at parties if drugs and alcohol are present such as being with a safe group of friends and calling 999 in an emergency. Remind them that they can contact you if they have any worries whilst around drugs and alcohol
  • Drugs and alcohol put young people’s health at risk as well as their finances and their risk of being in trouble with the police. There is plenty of information online to help you explain these risks to your young person www.talktofrank.com is a good place to start
  • If you find drugs in your young person’s room talk to them about it. They could be involved in dealing drugs and may be extremely scared and unsure where to turn. Alternatively, if they are using these drugs recreationally this would be a good time to remind them of the risks. If you think they might be at risk of exploitation talk to someone who could help, you could start with speaking to school who may be able to support your family, or point you in the right direction
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