Keeping them safe

The following information has come from the Celebrating Safely initiative, a campaign led by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Victoria.

Recent focus groups with young people found that teenagers aged 11-15 years tend to follow their parents’ behaviour when deciding whether to smoke, drink or use marijuana, and that young people prefer their parents to be their main source of information about alcohol and drugs.

Most young people are concerned about:

• Too much alcohol at parties which leads to passing out, throwing
  up, being out of control and doing embarrassing things
• The possibility of gatecrashers turning up, fights or violence
• Outcomes from unwanted sex-related activities
• Drink spiking

You are their best role model

Think about how much you drink, smoke or use drugs. As a parent you are their most influential role model.

Although it’s important to be firm, confident, clear and consistent, keep in mind that it can be challenging for your teenager to stick to your rules when faced with a different set of rules in their other friends’ homes.

Give your teenager good reasons not to drink or take drugs. Explain the dangerous situations they can get into if they drink, such as accidental injuries, violent behaviours and risky sexual activity.

Communication is the key

Try to engage your teenager in an open and honest conversation.

Support and encourage positive behaviour. Try to avoid focussing on the negatives, and try to keep the lines of communication open by listening to what they have to say.

Discuss limits and boundaries. Asking your teenager “What do you think is acceptable" or “What would you like to do" can give a starting point for negotiation.

Help your teenager deal with peer pressure. Help your teenager feel comfortable with the idea that it is ok not to drink, smoke or take drugs.

Before they go to a party

• Where/when is the party being held?
• Will alcohol be available/ is alcohol allowed?
• Will the party be supervised? By who?
• What time does the party start and finish?
• Is there an invitation?
• If possible, speak with the parents who are hosting the party.

Are you hosting a teenage party?

As the parent of a teenager having a party, you are legally considered the host of the party. Here are some tips to protect both you and the schoolies.

• Make sure you are well informed of the legal and insurance implications.
• Discuss the party with your teenager, and include them in some of the decisions being made.
• Talk to your guests’ parents – you are responsible for providing information to parents of other teenagers attending your party, particularly if alcohol is involved.
• Use the invitation to provide information – a written invitation can be helpful for other parents.
• Allowing teenage guests to bring their own alcohol to your party means you may have less control over what they do with it.
• As the host you have a duty of care to all of your guests.
• You are legally liable if a problem arises during or even after a party.
• Having extra adults at the party can be useful for preventing gatecrashers.

For more information visit the Victoria Police Party Safe Program at: www.police.vic.gov.au