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WELCOME TO OUR AUGUST E-NEWSLETTER
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Dear *|FNAME|*,
Welcome to Positive Choices' Term 3 2025 newsletter for Parents and Families, where we share valuable resources to help you have more confident and more effective conversations with your teen about drugs and alcohol, so that you can better protect them from related harms.
In this edition, you'll find our new factsheet which addresses a common myth around the effects of alcohol on your health, our recent blog post about how the media shapes what we think about vaping, plus other helpful parenting resources including those for culturally and linguistically diverse families.
Next Tuesday 12th August is International Youth Day! Every child has the right to live a safe, happy & healthy life - but this is not always easy during adolescence. To help your child make positive choices around drugs and alcohol, you can share these practical tips with them.
Check out our recently updated FAQ page, which provides key information about Positive Choices and our evaluation findings, plus answers to common questions about the website.
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Lastly, follow us on social media and stay up to date with the latest evidence-based drug education resources and prevention programs for young people, as well as relevant news, research and events. You'll find us on Facebook, X and now Bluesky! Links provided below:
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NEW FACTSHEET ON ALCOHOL AND HEALTH!
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Despite the evidence revealing various health harms associated with alcohol use, there is a commonly held belief that a little bit of alcohol can be healthy for you. Some parents even consider a small amount of alcohol as being safe for teenagers.
Our new factsheet reveals what has helped shape this belief, how alcohol really affects the body and brain, and why delaying or avoiding drinking is the safest choice for your teen.
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RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES
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Drugs A to Z Factsheet:
Caffeine and Energy Drinks
Is caffeine addictive? How much caffeine can a young person safely consume per day? View our Drugs A to Z factsheet and learn about the immediate and long-term effects of caffeine and energy drinks to share with your teen.
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Drug education resources for Culturally & Linguistically Diverse families
Did you know that several of our parenting resources are available in Arabic, Hindi, Simplified Chinese and Simplified English? Access these + other resources suitable for culturally and linguistically diverse people here.
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How can I tell if my child is using drugs?
There are some signs and behaviours that may raise concern that your child is using drugs. But it's important not to jump to conclusions and keep in mind that many of these signs are common among teenagers. Read this factsheet to learn more about what to look out for.
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Starting the conversation about drug use
It can be tricky to navigate how and when to talk to your child about their potential drug use. But it can be an important first step so your child trusts you and feels able to talk to you. For tips on starting the conversation when you are concerned about drug use, click here.
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RESOURCES FOR ABORIGINAL AND
TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER COMMUNITIES
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Show your child how vaping harms their health and the environment, and help them choose vape free. Lung Foundation Australia, Na Joomelah and the National Best Practice Unit Tackling Indigenous Smoking (NBPU TIS) have developed three short animations and a factsheet to help young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people better understand how vaping affects them, the people around them and the environment. To view them, click here.
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Vaping continues to make headlines, with recent stories about how these products are being sold illegally. But what impact does this have? Our new blog post looks at how media coverage can shape perceptions of vaping, plus practical strategies to encourage your teen to think critically about the news.
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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. Our blog post offers five key things you can do as parent to help foster positive and supportive friendships for your teenager.
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NEW STUDY OPPORTUNITY FOR
YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-19 YEARS OLD!
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The Illicit Project are currently developing new and improved education modules and want to hear what young people know (and want to know) about substance use, mental health and their developing brains.
Complete a 20-30 minute anonymous survey for a chance to win one of three $100 Prezzee vouchers and/or, join a 45-minute Zoom focus group discussion and receive a $40 Prezzee voucher. To participate in the study, click here.
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The aim of this e-newsletter is to provide our subscribers with information about drug prevention resources, and to share relevant news and events.
If you have any feedback, questions or complaints please contact us at info@positivechoices.org.au
Please help us spread the word by forwarding this newsletter to other parents and families within your networks, and encourage them to subscribe here.
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