How to talk your parents about drugs and what do you talk about
It’s not something most young people are comfortable talking to their parents about – drugs and taking drugs. Leading psychologist Dianna Kenny shares her tips on how to start that conversation. LISTEN NOW
The Ripple Effect
Don't miss out on the headlines from The Ripple Effect. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A culture of secrecy and taboo about illicit drugs prevents many curious young people from seeking advice from their parents — even when it goes against their better judgment.
Experts say it is unfortunate more adolescents don’t initiate a conversation with their elders about drugs given an open and honest relationship is in the best interests of both.
Sydney psychologist and academic Professor Dianna Kenny told The Ripple Effect it was “sad” that it was far less common for teens to approach a parent than for them to discover their child is using substances.
But young people do not have to be on the back foot and can use several strategies to start what can be an uncomfortable conversation.
“If the child actually does approach the parent and tells (them) they’re in trouble or they’re concerned about their drug-taking, it often means there has been such a relationship of trust developed,” Prof Kenny said.
“That would not be the type of parent who would start screaming and blaming … that would be a parent who would say, let’s talk about what is happening.”
LISTEN! Psychologist Professor Dianna Kenny sits down with journalist Danielle Le Messurier and offers some advice for how kids can talk to their parents about their drug-taking.
Prof Kenny said young people may broach the topic through a hypothetical question to gauge their parents’ reaction.
“Sometimes a child will ask … ‘What would you think if I dropped a couple of pills at a music festival?’ And that is really good opener for a very serious conversation,” she said.
The ideal environment for adolescents wanting to raise the issue should be somewhere private and safe Prof Kenny said.
“For example, I wouldn’t do it in a restaurant,” she said.
“If the child feels more comfortable they might want to sit on a park bench on a sunny day and tell their parent they’ve got something heavy to talk about.”
“If it’s at home it needs to be away from other siblings and it needs to be a quiet place where there won’t be interruptions.”
MORE FROM THE RIPPLE EFFECT SERIES
1 drug. 4 dead kids. 4 mums lost to a life of sorrow
‘Safe as Panadol’: How teens are really using MDMA
100kg of MDMA precursor: Deadly deal found in just 15 minutes
About 75 per cent of high school students have at some time taken an illicit substance but only a small group become problem substance users, Prof Kenny said.
But interestingly, she pointed out a surprising number of teens will use their parents as scapegoats if they feel uncomfortable going to an event where drugs will be available.
“It’s interesting the number of adolescents who use their parents as the baddie to tell their friends that they can’t go when really they are feeling very anxious about going themselves,” Prof Kenny said.
“They don’t want to be seen as a nerd or a party pooper … so they find something a little bit more devious until they can feel solid in themselves.”
If you need help? Please call Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year or in the event of a medical emergency, call triple-0 immediately.
Originally published as How to talk your parents about drugs and what do you talk about