Pick a good time:
Do no try to talk to the child/young person when they're in a rush. If they're using drugs, do not confront them when they're intoxicated.
Do your homework:
Make sure you know enough to talk to the child/young person in an informed way. FRANK is a reliable source of information.
Don’t panic:
Wait until you're calm before discussing it. Show love and concern rather than anger.
Let them know your values:
Be clear about your opinions on drugs and your boundaries. For example, you may say that you do not want any drugs in the house.
Listen as well as talk:
Do not preach or make assumptions. Let them tell you about their experiences and listen without judging.
Do not give up:
If the child/young person argues, gets embarrassed or storms off go back to the subject when they're calmer.
Let them be responsible for their actions:
Only they can say no to drugs. Make sure they know you support them, but that it's up to them to make positive decisions.
Be realistic:
Some teenagers experiment with drugs. Only a small number of those who experiment will develop a drug problem
Avoid Scare tactics:
Teenagers often know more about drugs than you do, so there's no point in saying, "Smoking cannabis will kill you".
Know your child's friends:
Get to know the child/young person’s friends. Invite them to your house and take an interest in what’s going on in their lives.
Let them know you're always there for them:
If the child/young person knows you're there for them whatever, they're more likely to be honest with you.
Getting Appropriate Accurate Advice and Information
The internet is full of information and research about substances, you can even visit forums where people talk about their drug taking and experiences. This advice can appear to be from experts but sometimes their advice can be misleading and not evidenced. Please see our resources page via the button below for advice on reputable websites.