Drinking alcohol under the age of 18 is illegal, while taking drugs is completely illegal, but we know that some young people do drink and take drugs. (The ‘Sussed about Drugs’ website has a guide for parents/carers entitled ‘How to talk to your kids about drugs’, see the link below). In an ideal world we'd all rather children and young people didn't use alcohol and drugs but we realise that this is the real world and children and young people have to make their own choices. Preaching and telling children and young people not to take alcohol and drugs doesn't really work without providing honest information and giving them knowledge and skills to help reduce risks and keep themselves safe.

Drinking alcohol and taking drugs not only affects children and young people’s health and wellbeing but increases their vulnerability and therefore the chance of them being the victim of crime or injury. Indeed, a large amount of violent crime, like assaults, robberies or rape and sexual assaults involves alcohol or drugs in some way. Either the victim or perpetrator is usually under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Therefore the purpose of this page is to highlight to parents and carers the main issues involved with regard to safety, alcohol and drugs. Children and young people need to know and be aware of the risks in order to help them keep safe. Information provided on this website will also identify key substance misuse services in the city who can help and advice parents and carers about substance misuse issues for children and young people.

Safety advice for your child

There are no absolute answers in life and each situation your child comes across can be different. Therefore, the important thing is that they should always try to practise safe options and assess the risks with anything they do.

• If your child drinks alcohol or takes drugs you should always remind them to be safe.
• Children and young people need to know the facts and need to have information about the use of alcohol and drugs.
• They should plan ahead and make a safety plan in case things go wrong.
• They should learn to trust their instincts.
• To be aware of their surroundings.
• Always let people know where they are.
• There is always someone they can turn to for help.

Services for children and young people

ru-ok? Young People’s Substance Misuse Service

2nd Floor, Ovest House, 58 West Street, Brighton, BN1 2RA
Tel: (01273) 293 966 or visit www.areyouok.org.uk

Alternatively, you could speak to your GP, Children’s Centre or local Health Promotion Library for more information which can help.

Health Promotion Library

The Library, The Audrey Emerton Building, The Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE

Tel: 01273 523312

See the links below to the ‘Sussed about Drink’ and ‘Sussed about Drugs’ websites below for more information and advice about alcohol and drugs and what services parents/carers can contact for further information.

Substance misuse within the family

Some children in Brighton & Hove live in a house where their parents or carers are substance misusers, i.e. drink a lot of alcohol, possibly even alcoholic, or are addicted to a drug of some kind.

This can be a very hard and confusing home environment for children to live in, especially if the child has to care for and look after their parent or carer. However, there are services in this city which can help. They can provide information, advice and support to families, children and young people in situations like this.

If children are worried about any issue like this they should always talk to someone they trust. This could be a friend, teacher, Connexions PA, youth worker etc.

• Brighton Oasis Project provide friendly and confidential specialist support for children and young people aged 8-16 affected by their parents substance use. For further information and support Tel: (01273) 696970.
• Children and young people can also contact the Young Carers Project who provide help, advice and support to children and young people who care or look after their parent or parents or someone else in their family. Tel: (01273) 234045 and ask them for advice.
• Alternatively children and young people can contact ru-ok? (Young People’s Substance Misuse Service) Tel: (01273) 293966, Youth Advice Centre Tel: (01273) 889292 or Young People’s Centre (YPC) Tel: (01273) 230130 for further help and information.
• The Patched Project offers advice and support to the families, partners, parents and carers of substance misusers and the wider community affected by substance misuse. You or your child can contact Patched on 0800 085 4450 or (01273) 671607.

Downloads

Advice for children and young people: This download provides parents and carers with a few tips regarding safety and substance misuse.

Links

www.sussedaboutdrink.net/

Sussed about drink is a website developed by Brighton & Hove Primary Care Trust and provides a range of information and advice about alcohol.

www.sussedaboutdrugs.net

Sussed about drink is a website developed by Brighton & Hove Primary Care Trust and provides a range of information and advice about drugs.

www.talktofrank.com/

Frank offers practical and honest information about drugs and alcohol aimed at children, young people and parents and carers.

www.drinkaware.co.uk/

A great website which gives you information about alcohol units in drinks, hints and tips about all aspects of alcohol and drinking safely, effects of alcohol and much more.

www.alcoholandfamilies.org.uk

Alcohol concern has developed this specific website regarding families who may have substance misuse problems within them. The site provides a range of information about substance misuse within the family and provides advice regarding support for parents and children.