Engaging parents in drug education in schools and in the community

This briefing paper is part of a series produced by the Drug Education Forum, for schools and others involved in drug education or informal drug prevention. Parents have a strong influence over young people’s decisions regarding drugs and alcohol, perhaps more than they realise. Protective factors against misuse of drugs include young people spending time with their family; parents knowing where they are when they are out (in particular young people disclosing this to their parents); clear rules which include limiting direct access to alcohol; close family relationships and good family communication (including parents listening to their children)