Drugs, teenagers and parenting

The teenage years can be a time of experimentation, and using substances can be part of adolescent risk-taking. Cannabis is one of the most commonly tried illegal drugs among teenagers. Not all young people will drink alcohol or experiment with illicit drugs, and most who do will not experience serious harm from it.

As a parent, there is no way to guarantee your child will never take drugs, but there are things you can do to help delay or prevent use and to reduce the potential for harm.

Why teenagers use drugs#

Young people use drugs for many of the same reasons adults do: to feel better, different, or in control. Other common reasons include:

• Socialising with friends, peer pressure or wanting to feel part of a group
• Relaxation or fun
• Boredom
• Curiosity, experimentation or wanting to take risks
• To escape mental or physical pain or difficult circumstances
• To cope with past trauma

Alcohol, cannabis and tobacco are the three substances most commonly used by young people.

Reducing the chance of drug use#

Even though you cannot guarantee your child will never use alcohol or other drugs, there are ways to reduce the chance they will come to harm from it. It can help to:

• Build a close, trusting relationship with your child from an early age, and support and encourage positive behaviour.
• Model the behaviour you want to see, such as drinking moderately and not using illicit drugs around them.
• Agree on clear rules about what is acceptable behaviour around alcohol and drugs.
• Let your child take on responsibility and develop good decision-making skills from an early age.
• Encourage a healthy approach to life, including good food and regular exercise.
• Have open, honest discussions about the risks of drug use. Do not exaggerate or make information up.

If you suspect your child is using drugs#

There are no specific signs or behaviours that prove a young person is using drugs. Uncharacteristic changes such as mood swings, a drop in school performance, new friends or a changed appearance may point to other issues that are not drug related.

If you do suspect drug use:

• If you can, do not react on your first impulse. Give yourself time to think.
• Resist the urge to search your child’s room or belongings for evidence.
• Research drugs so that you have the facts.
• Raise your concerns calmly when you both feel relaxed.
• If your child is taking drugs, do not issue ultimatums.
• Try to educate your child about the health and lifestyle risks.
• Offer them help and support if they are experiencing problems.

Help is available for both parents and young people who have concerns about alcohol and other drugs. A doctor or a local alcohol and drug advisory or counselling service can offer confidential advice and referral.

Key points#

• Cannabis is one of the most commonly tried illegal drugs among teenagers.
• Young people use drugs for similar reasons to adults, because they want to feel better or different.
• Alcohol, cannabis and tobacco are the three substances most commonly used by young people.
• Have open and honest discussions about the risks of drug use.
• Try to educate your child about the health and lifestyle risks.

Where to get help#