drug education for parents?

[titchington]

I currently run a business training business managers in drug and alcohol awareness, but I am much more passionate about educating parents and helping to demystify the whole "drug" world by teaching them how to recognise drugs and paraphernalia, as well as the physical and behavioural signs of drug use, and what to do in a drug-related emergency. I have two children and even with the professional knowledge and understanding I have, I worry about them getting into it. So mums, help me out, is there a market for this? Would you want it?

I'd be massively grateful for any feedback at all :)

Our community police do this sort of thing for free. It's a good part of their job and I'd hope they'd be able to continue with it.

That's interesting, do you mind telling me roughly what area you live in? I don't think it happens here in Leeds, and I really hope that the funding cuts don't mean that you lose this valuable resource. Thanks for replying :)

Scotland.

Our local schools from time to time advertise short courses on this topic, run by a charity in partnership with the schools, starting with a one-evening taster session. I've not been on one yet, but will probably give the taster session a try next time it comes round.

Though it'll probably have fallen victim to the cuts by then.

There does appear to be a market round here, though I've no idea of the take-up. I would think that running it in partnership with schools would be the way to go, budgets permitting.

The six-week course costs £10 at present.

Many thanks for that info. Would you mind telling me roughly what area of the country you are in?

W. Midlands.

That's great, thanks to you both :)

I'm in Hertfordshire. Our local schools offer this in conjunction with the local police and a drug/alcohol charity - I think it's Turning Point.

That's great, thanks. :)

As a childminder the children are given loads of information reguarding what drugs are what they do to you ect. It isn't enough to just say drugs are bad dont touch them. Kids need alot more information.

I think it is a great idea what you are doing well done.

We've had really good drug awareness training through the dc's school. Essential, I would say, because things change all the time - what's being sold, what they call stuff. At least parents need to be, and to be seen to be, up to date and not x years out of date, or worse still, completely ignorant. Also as one trainer said, if parents talk openly about it all, and people they knew who did drugs in the old days, it loses a good deal of its cachet.

@happygolucky0 and taugenichts - thank you! I agree, for me it's not about just telling them not to do it, but about having enough knowledge to sound credible when you discuss the risks. No-one can stop it happening, but by decreasing the taboo around it, we have to have a better chance of helping them to stay safe. :)

Taugenichts - what area of the country are you in that provides this great training?

South East England.