08 January 2014
The Public Health department has issued a revised version of ‘A Parent’s Guide to Drugs’ to coincide with the start of the new school term.
The Guide has been updated in the wake of concerns about the ongoing dangers relating to alcohol and drug use among young people. This reflects the latest developments, including changes made in December to the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 covering new psychoactive substances (or NPS for short), formerly – and misleadingly – known as legal highs.
Public Health has liaised with Education, Sport & Culture to ensure the link to the updated Guide is available to schools, which have passed the link on to parents this week.
Important role to play
Acting Senior Public Health Manager, Martin Knight said parents and guardians had an important role to play in helping young people make informed decisions about drugs and reducing any potential harm that may arise through drug use, be it illegal or legal.
“We really want all parents to know about the serious harms and side effects that can be experienced from using some of these new psychoactive substances,” he said. “If mixed with alcohol the side effects of these substances can be particularly pronounced, including extremely negative changes in mood and behaviour.
“We have revised A Parent’s Guide to Drugs to ensure it contains the latest information on the most recently available drugs, as well as up-to-date contact details for organisations providing support and advice.
“The Guide is designed to support parents and guardians by giving them information about drugs and their effects, as well as offering age-appropriate suggestions and approaches to having discussions on the issue of drugs with children, which we realise can be a difficult and sensitive area.”
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