23/04/2007

Parents warned about dangers of drinking

Parents or carers who drink often or excessively in front of their children are more likely to see them growing up with a drink problem, a new report has claimed.

The campaign, run by the Eastern Drugs and Alcohol Co-Ordination Team (EDACT), Belfast Community Safety Partnership and members of three local drug and alcohol forums launched the campaign to make parents aware of the influences they have over their children’s drinking.

Studies have also suggested two-thirds of 12-15 year olds get most of their alcohol from parents.

From now to mid July a series of posters will be displayed on bus shelters, off-licences, supermarkets and in pubs.

Ed Sipler, a health promotion specialist with the Down Lisburn Trust, said: “When our kids were very young and we had concerns or needed support we could call on any number of people from health visitors to teachers, but when our kids became teenagers we often feel totally and completely lost and don’t know where to turn.

“The Tough Issues programme helps parents and carers to learn new skills so they can communicate with their children about difficult topics such as alcohol with confidence.”

(JM/KMcA)

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