How do I talk to my young person about drugs and alcohol?
It’s a question many parents and carers ask and local youth service Youth Solutions is hosting two special seminars to provide some answers and assist families in Macarthur and Wingecarribee.
The youth drug and alcohol prevention and health promotion service will host two free parent and carer information sessions this year, including one at its Campbelltown office on Thursday, November 30.
A second will be held at the Henrietta Rose Room, Bowral, on Wednesday, December 6.
Kicking off at 6pm, the sessions aim to equip parents and carers with information they need to better support their young people in relation to drugs and alcohol.
The sessions will cover topics such as how to chat to your young person about drugs and alcohol, adolescent development, general drug and alcohol information and preventing drug and alcohol use.
They will also provide information about how to support a young person who is using drugs and will provide details about the support services available.
Youth Solutions chief executive officer Geraldine Dean said the sessions would enable local families to access correct, relevant drug and youth specific information to support their young people while also enabling them to connect with Youth Solutions and its programs and services.
“We are very pleased to host these free sessions to assist our local families,” Mrs Dean said.
Seminar facilitator Eden Fletcher said: “Running these sessions is part of Youth Solutions’ whole of community approach.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“As many people are aware, Youth Solutions does a lot of work with young people delivering drug and alcohol prevention, health education programs that aim to build up their knowledge, skills and resilience to prevent them from drug and alcohol related harm.[/social_quote]
“And to support that work and enhance the difference we can make, it is important that we engage with the wider community; the people who support young people.
Part of this includes providing support and information to parents and carers so that they can best support the young people in their lives.”
Mrs Dean reminded parents there were number of services and organisations in the Macarthur and Wingecarribee regions which could assist young people and families with the issues they face.
“I encourage our families in this region to make the most of the many great services that offer programs and support for young people and families. If you or your family are not sure where to start you can always get in touch with the Youth Solutions team and we can point you in the right direction or you can visit the Get Help section of our website to access relevant information about support services.”
If you wish to attend one of the sessions, RSVP is essential. RSVP to eden@youthsolutions.com.au or phone 4628 2319 before Monday, November 27.
