As part of its ongoing public awareness campaign on alcohol and legal or illegal highs; the HSE is encouraging parents of students receiving their Junior Certificate results on 15th September to discuss the dangers of underage drinking or legal or illegal drug use with them. Parents are the most important influence on their children and what parents say and do will have a major effect on young people’s relationship with alcohol.
Dr Bobby Smyth, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with the Health Service Executive said that “as parents, we consistently underestimate how much our children are drinking and experimenting with drugs. We also tend to underestimate the strength of our influence on our children's drinking.The HSE would like all students to have an enjoyable and safe evening celebrating their results. We are recommending that parents have an honest and open conversation with their children about drinking alcohol or taking legal or illegal drugs.”
“I would say to the students it’s your night and you want to remember it for all the right reasons. Remember that drinking alcohol or taking drugs will not make it a great night for you and your friends. Alcohol or drugs could completely ruin your night; while intoxicated we are much more likely to do silly, embarrassing or dangerous things.”
Source: hse.ie, 10/10/2010
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