Pubdate: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 Source: Daily News, The (New Zealand) Copyright: 2006, Independent Newspapers Limited Contact: http://www.thedailynews.co.nz/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1056 Author: Leighton Keith Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) PARENTS GET HELPING HAND TO FIGHT DRUGS Many parents think addiction is a problem "other people's children" face, a drug and alcohol campaigner says. Taranaki parents wondering if their children are taking illegal drugs are about to get a helping hand from the Managers' Guild Trust. The trust, formed by senior police, will distribute a journal early in the New Year to give parents the latest information about drugs available to children today. Campaign co-ordinator Jeremy Anderson said most parents liked to think other people's kids used drugs, rather than their own children. "This is not a good mindset, as peer pressure can be a big thing in any teenager's life. "No one wants to imagine that their kid is going to be getting involved in that lifestyle, but no one is exempt," Mr Anderson said. P use was in every walk of life. New Zealand was slow reacting to the existence of methamphetamine type drugs. "We have been caught out with P in this country, because it has come in the last five years and has made a heck of an impact with all of the people who deal and use drugs." Parents also saw taking drugs as a typical teenage thing that most kids tried, he said. "We can't let most kids try meth. The thing is highly addictive and highly expensive, so it turns into a problem rapidly." Users resorted to selling the drug or crime to pay for their habit. Mr Anderson said he hoped the campaign would make parents aware of the danger signs to look for if their teenager was using drugs. "Prevention is the key. It is 10 times harder to get someone to quit once they have started." Open communication between parents and teenagers about drug use was the best way to keep them safe. "Don't just say, 'look don't do drugs because they are illegal', but actually give them reasons why. "The best thing a parent can do is be knowledgeable of where these drugs can take their kids and convince their kids not to go down that path," Mr Anderson said. Legally available and popular party pills were seen as the gateway to harder, more serious drug abuse. "Our theory would be that kids who might not have used drugs are now realising these party pills are legal, so it kind of suggests they should try it." Mr Anderson said once the novelty of party pills wore off, young people could be seduced by a better hit. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek