Drugs Awareness - Facts and Myths

Myth 1

It's all because of peer pressure, they're forced into it by their friends.

Fact

Young people may use drugs because their friends are using them. This does not necessarily mean that they have been forced, pressure can be in the form of many guises, such as curiosity or wanting to be like others.

Myth 2

If the police got rid of all the dealers hanging around the school gates, then we wouldn't have a problem.

Fact

Many young people are introduced to, or sold, drugs through friends and acquaintances.

Myth 3

They talk about drugs at school, so I don't need to bother.

Fact

Government guidelines suggest that school drugs education is most effective when it is reinforced by parents at home. Talking about drugs from an early age may encourage your children to approach you if a problem arises.

Myth 4

My kids won't use drugs, they're happy.

Fact

Taking drugs is a choice which both happy and unhappy young people may make. Drug use is not necessarily linked to unhappiness.

Myth 5

Once you start taking drugs, there's no getting out of it.

Fact

There are different types of drug use. Some people use drugs occasionally and do not experience major problems. Not all drugs are physically addictive.

Myth 6

If I use scare stories about drugs to frighten my child they won't use them.

Fact

Using this approach is unlikely to make much impact, particularly if your child is already using drugs or knows people who are. The reality of what they experience will make what you're saying seem exaggerated and over-the-top.