Term 4 2021 - Parents *|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* View this email in your browser WELCOME BACK TO TERM 4! Dear *|FNAME|*, Welcome back to Term 4! With COVID-19 restrictions easing in the coming months, your teenager may be planning to attend more social events, especially with the school year coming to an end. If your teenager is in their final year of school, they may also be planning to attend Schoolies or Leavers' week. In this newsletter, we'll be sharing resources to help you ensure you teenager has an enjoyable time whilst remaining safe from alcohol and other drug harms. The Positive Choices portal for parents and families provides advice and information to help you talk to your children about drugs and alcohol. To access these resources: VISIT POSITIVE CHOICES WEBINAR RECORDING: RISK TAKING AND TEENS Did you miss our latest webinar? Catch up on the recording now! This webinar was presented by Paul Dillon from Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia. The webinar covered: Information on what risk taking and teenage rebellion is. Research around why teens are more likely to take risks. Practical parenting tips around risk taking and alcohol and other drugs. WATCH IT NOW HAVE YOUR SAY We need your help to guide our ongoing improvements to Positive Choices. We are looking for parents of teenagers to complete an online survey and provide feedback about the Positive Choices portal. The survey will take between 20 to 30 minutes and all participants can enter a prize draw to win one of two $500 Prezzee gift vouchers. To take the survey: CLICK HERE RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES Schoolies/Leavers' Week: what parents can do to keep their teenager safe It's normal to feel worried about your teenager attending schoolies/leavers' week. This factsheet will provide you with practical strategies on how to start the conversation with your teenager about staying safe and tips for supporting them while they are away. Click here to read more. Drink spiking When someone adds alcohol or another drug to a person’s drink, without their knowledge or consent, then the drink is “spiked”. Drink spiking can cause serious harm to the victim. Read this factsheet for information on the symptoms of drink spiking and tips on starting a discussion with your teenager. Ensuring your teenager stays safe when they’re attending a party With the end of the school year coming to a close, your teenager may be planning to attending more parties and gathering. It's a good idea to arrange to discuss the issues relating to the party with your teenager and the host parents. Find out more here. Alcohol and risk taking: How to help your teenager stay safe Teenagers are more likely to take risks and this may be heightened if alcohol is involved. This factsheet provides recommendations and discussion tips that can help to minimise risk-taking behaviour in teenagers. RESOURCES FOR ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER COMMUNITIES Deadly activities families can do together Young people are less likely to use drugs or drink alcohol (also called grog) if they have a supportive environment, good role models, and participate in cultural activities and sports. Check out these deadly activities that families can do together. IN THE KNOW Are your teenager's friends influencing them to drink? As your child gets older, friendships with their peers become increasingly important. Friends can play an important role when it comes to your child’s drinking behaviour. Therefore, it is important to help foster positive and supportive friendships for your teenager. Read our blog to find out more. How can we help young people who experience anxiety and drink to cope? Transitioning out of high school is a time of significant change for young people and can be associated with heightened anxiety and increased access to alcohol. Read this article to find out how the Inroads program helps young people manage anxiety and keep alcohol use within safe limits. ORDER YOUR FREE BOOKLETS! Looking for tips on how to talk to a young person about alcohol and other drugs? Want to learn more about ways that parents can protect against drug use and related harms? Order your FREE copy of the parent booklet today. ORDER NOW The aim of this e-newsletter is to provide our subscribers with information about drug prevention resources, and to share relevant news and events. Please help us spread the word by forwarding this newsletter to other parents and families in your networks, and encourage them to subscribe here. Copyright © 2024 Positive Choices, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. The Positive Choices newsletter is sent out once every term, and contains updates and information relating to the Positive Choices website. Recently published newsletters will take 48 hours to be listed on this page.