Ted Noffs Foundation

Parents

Worried that a young person you care about may be using drugs?

Many people have good reason to worry about young people they care for, especially given the stories we hear about drugs through the media. Sometimes this fear is exaggerated while other times it is justified. At times you may worry that a young person you know may be arrested or even die. You may also feel ashamed or guilty about things, but this does not help the young person.
Getting help can sometimes be really hard so we put together a list of tips using expert research and advice.

Tips for parents, family, friends & carers

Be calm and try not to overreact. Many 'signs' of drug use may be due to other things. Remember, although many young people experiment with drugs research shows that much fewer use drugs regularly.

Get hold of information about drugs and educate yourself. Leave information lying around. Talk to the young person about something neutral like finding out information about drugs. Ask the young person what they think about how drug use is portrayed by the media. Doing these things can be a good way of initiating a conversation about drugs.

Pick a good time to talk. Approach the young person at a time when they are in a receptive mood and are free to talk rather than cornering them while they are watching their favourite television program.

Express concern, be open and listen. Keep communication channels open by expressing concern for the young person in a non-confrontational or non-judgemental way. A young person will be more likely to talk to you if they know you will be supportive. Let the young person know that you care about them and you are worried. Use a caring and supportive tone of voice and avoid using threatening language. For example, use language like "I feel that …" rather than " You …".

Be patient. Remember that change is possible but can often be really difficult. Ask the young person what they think may be possible solutions.

Avoid blaming yourself. Focus on what you can do for the young person rather than what you have done.

Be a good role model. Check your own drug use. This includes alcohol, cigarettes and prescription drugs.

Talk about safer drug use. While you may prefer the young person to stop using completely, it is the young persons decision. If they are still using drugs give the young person information about safer use.

Encourage the young person to seek help. Remember support is available for both the young person and yourself. Information, advice, counselling, referrals to treatments and other forms of assistance are available from various organisations.

Where can I get more information about drugs?

More information about drugs is available from the following organisations:

Centre for Education and Information on Drugs and Alcohol (CEIDA)
www.ceida.net.au

Australian Drug Foundation
www.druginfo.adf.org.au

National Institute on Drug Abuse (US based)
www.nida.nih.gov

Reach Out
www.reachout.com.au

Family Drug Support
www.fds.org.au

Drugs: A Western Australian Government Funded Website
www.dotu.wa.gov.au/drugs/index.html

Australian Drug Information Network
www.adin.asn.au

Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia
www.adca.org.au/

Where can I get help?

Australian Phone Numbers

Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
Specialises in alcohol and drug issues and can assist you to find help in your area.

NSW	Ph: 02 9361 8000	or	1800 422 599 (outside Sydney)
QLD	Ph: 07 3236 2414	or	1800 177 833 (outside Brisbane)
VIC	Ph: 03 9416 1818	or	1800 136 385 (outside Melbourne)
SA	Ph: 08 8363 8618	or	1800 131 340 (outside Adelaide)
WA	Ph: 08 9442 5000	or	1800 198 024 (outside Perth)

Australian Drug Foundation
NSW Ph: 02 6207 9977 or 1800 422 599 (outside Sydney)
QLD Ph: 07 3236 2414 or 1800 177 833 (outside Brisbane)
VIC Ph: 1300 85 85 84 toll free (information and advice)
Ph: 9416 1618 (counselling) or 1800 811 994 (outside Melbourne) www.druginfo.adf.org.au
SA Ph: 1300 131 340
WA Ph: 08 9442 5000 or 1800 198 024 (outside Perth)
TAS Ph: 03 6233 6722 or 1800 811 994 (outside Hobart)
ACT Ph: 02 6207 9977
NT Ph: 08 8981 8030 or 1800 629 683 (outside Darwin)

Youth Substance Abuse Service (Victoria)
Ph: 03 9418 1020 or 1800 041 446 (outside Melbourne)

Family Drug Support
Ph: 1300 368 186

Family Drug Help
Ph: 1300 660 668 (Victoria)

Parent Drug Information Service
Ph: 08 9442 5050 or 1800 653 203 (outside Perth)

Alcoholics Anonymous
Ph: (02) 9799 1199 or (02) 9261 0055 24 hr (Sydney)

Narcotics Anonymous
Ph: (02) 9212 3444 24hr (Sydney)

How can the Ted Noffs Foundation help?

The Ted Noffs Foundation offers support groups, counselling and residential programs for young people with alcohol and drug problems in Randwick, Paramatta, St Mary's, Coffs Harbour, Canberra and Dubbo.

We provide out client counselling for young people aged 12 to 25 years and their families at Randwick and young people aged 12 to 18 years and their families at St Marys.

TNF also provides PALM residential programs ( up to three months in residence and 3 month post-residence care) which aim to assist young people aged from 14 to 18 years of age with drug use related difficulties to manage their lives more effectively. PALM programs are located at Randwick, Parramatta, Dubbo, Coffs Harbour, Canberra. Also in Canberra is a short-term residential drug withdrawal program.

We also conduct support groups for parents and carers of young people with alcohol and drug problems.

Phone (02) 9310 0133 for more information on TNF programs and services.