PARENTS of young teenagers will be going back to school as part of a new drug and alcohol education program.
Get Real is a free six-week program aimed at arming parents with the tools to engage their children in constructive discussion about drug and alcohol issues.
The program was conceived by Monbulk student Helena Deagan as part of her TAFEcourse.
She found that parents wanted to help their children stay off drugs but don’t always have the knowledge.
The sessions will be held in the foyer of St Georges Church, Main Road, Monbulk, for six weeks beginning Wednesday, 1 August between 7.30pm and 8.30pm.
For more information, call Helena on 9752 1842 or 0432 499 814.
“There was a real need for parents to have confidence in talking to their kids about drugs,” she said.
“Up here (in the hills) we are quite isolated and I think that definitely plays a part in parents feeling like they need more knowledge.”
The program will run on Wednesday, 1 August from 7.30pm-8.30pm and continue each Wednesday night for six weeks.
The first session is entitled What Drug is That? And is to be followed by Why do Kids do Drugs and How to Tell if They Are?, Parenting to Build Resilience and Communicating Effectively, Teenage Depression, Teenage Suicide and a question and answer forum.
As part of her TAFE course in alcohol and other drugs, Ms Deagan conducted a needs assessment by approaching people on Main Road, Monbulk, and asking them what issues they would like to see addressed in a community education program.
