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Talking about drugs
By Sheila Lavery
Fortunately, very few children have tried drugs in the pre-school and primary school years. But nonetheless it's never too early to start teaching your child about the dangers - even at this tender age.
What schools can do
What you can do
Reality not morality
Build self-esteem early
Develop positive body image
Friendships and choices
Importance of feeling good
Lead by example
Be informed
What schools can do
A number of primary schools have drawn up policies on drug prevention. Although there is no statutory obligation on schools to have such policies, National Curriculum guidelines for teachers make it clear that children as young as five should be taught about ways of staying safe and healthy and using medicines correctly. Children in the 9-11 age group, should be given the opportunity to discuss ideas such as why people do things they know to be harmful, and how to resist the pressure to get involved in drugs.
Some schools back up health education curriculum work with drug awareness programmes such as that provided by Life Education Centres (LEC), a national charity that teaches drug awareness to primary school children. Unfortunately, this service is not available to all schools.
What you can do
As a parent you are your child's first source of information and, the biggest influence on their early lives. According to Michelle Roe, director of training and education for LEC, you also remain a trusted source of information throughout your child's life, regardless of peer pressure.
She believes that, good drug education needs to start as early as possible. "It is basically about good communication, helping children to express themselves, manage their emotions and build a personality that can cope with the challenges of growing up," explains Roe.
With nursery and infant children there is no need to talk about drugs specifically. It is more important to encourage discussion about problems and feelings. Listen to what your child has to say, grasp every opportunity to respond to his natural curiosity and answer his questions honestly in a way that is appropriate to his age.
Everyday life is full of cues to talk about staying safe, keeping healthy and making choices. What is important is not just to give the message once, but to keep reinforcing it time and time again in as many ways as possible throughout childhood.
Deal in reality, not morality
It is essential to give your child a firm base of knowledge, skills, attitude and resources that will equip him for life. It is simply not enough to tell young child that taking drugs is wrong or, "don't do it because I say so". Children need to know facts not opinions. So, when someone tells your 11-year-old that smoking is cool, he should recognise that as an opinion and know enough about what smoking does to his body to say, "no thanks".
Build self esteem early on
High self-esteem is vital in steering your child away from the temptation of drugs and other forms of substance abuse. "Even young children can feel great about having an apple for break, getting enough sleep to have the energy to play, taking care of their teeth, keeping clean, and having friends," suggests Roe. "And, if they feel positive about those things because they know the facts about how it's helping them, they can grow up with more self respect and are less inclined to damage their body." So make sure you tell your child how special, important and valuable they are at every opportunity.
Develop positive body image
Children who learn how everything we put into our body affects our feelings and behaviour as well as our physical being, tend to develop a greater respect for their health. You don't have to tell a five-year-old the whole horror story about the effects of cigarettes on your heart and lungs, but you could say that smoking makes it hard for you to run, swim or ride your bike without feeling bad.
Modify the information to satisfy your child at every age. Knowing the facts about health and ill-health equips him to make informed choices.
Talk about friendships and choices
As well as learning friendship skills such as co-operation and sharing, children of all ages need to be encouraged to have confidence in their own opinions and personal preferences.
Children can accept that everyone is unique and people have their own reasons for making certain decisions. Even the people they love and respect do things they may not like such as smoking. If your child knows that he doesn't have to make the same choices as his friends to feel included, he will be less likely to give into peer group pressure.
Recognise the importance of feeling good
Not everyone takes drugs because they have problems, many people do it for enjoyment. You need to be honest about this with children and early on steer them towards other forms of enjoyment. Children involved in Brownies, Guides, swimming or other clubs quickly develop a sense of belonging so they are less likely to seek peer group acceptance. They also discover that exercise releases the brain's own 'feel-good' drugs (endorphins) to keep you happy and healthy.
Lead by example
You don't have to be a model parent, who never smokes, drinks alcohol or does anything wrong, but it is important to be authentic. If you smoke admit that you know it is bad for you, but you are finding it hard to stop. Children know when you are being genuine, so always speak from the heart.
Become informed
LEC produces a series of fact sheets, activity books and cassettes for five to 12 year olds which make it fun to learn about the body, friendships and making decisions. For extra guidance there is a parent/child activity book entitled How To Talk to Your Child About Drugs. Telephone 020 7490 3210 for details or email: lec@life-education.demon.co.uk
Sheila Lavery is a health journalist and writer. She lives in Essex and has two daughters.
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