Parents Matter Webinar Series: Are you concerned about drug use and young people?

The HSE is inviting parents and guardians to attend the upcoming Parents Matter webinar on Vaping Products and Psychoactive Substances – What You Should Know as a Parent, taking place online on Tuesday, 7 October 11:30am - 12:30pm via Zoom.

This free webinar is designed for parents and will offer practical guidance and expert insights on how parents can help in supporting healthy decision making by their adolescents. It will focus on vaping products and psychoactive substances, including HHC, a recently banned substance chemically related to cannabis, and other cannabis-related substances and emerging drugs of concern. The session aims to help parents understand current drug trends, why delaying early drug use matters, prevention strategies and local supports.

Professor Eamon Keenan, HSE National Clinical Lead for Addiction Services, said: “The HSE National Social Inclusion Office is delighted to host this important webinar. The European dug problem is shifting rapidly, and new substances are emerging on the drug market on a regular basis. Parents can sometimes feel unprepared when discussing drug related issues with their children and often underestimate the influence they can have on the choices their children make. This webinar will provide up to date information to parents and support them in having these important conversations with their children.”

Professor Bobby Smyth, HSE Adolescent Addiction Psychiatrist, said: “This event highlights the critical role parents play in shaping young people’s attitudes and behaviours towards substance use. Our aim is to support the parents of children and adolescents across Ireland. While parents are just one of many influences upon substance use by adolescents, we know that parents are the most important single influence. Families have the potential to act as a major protective force in the lives of children and adolescents. Mutually supportive family relationships alongside some boundaries and rules generally influence the prevention of substance use among young people.”

Webinar details

Date and time: Tuesday, 7 October, 11:30am to 12:30pm

Location: Online via Zoom

Registration: Register here

Cost: Free

Speakers

• Martina Blake: National Lead, HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme
• Bobby Symth: Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, HSE Adolescent Addiction Service
• Emer Loughrey: Senior Counsellor, HSE Youth Drug and Alcohol Service YoDA

The webinar will cover

• emerging drug trends
• the role of parents in guiding healthy choices
• why delaying early drug use matters
• risks linked to cannabis-related drugs like HHC
• practical prevention strategies
• where to find local support services

Parents and guardians are encouraged to register early to secure a place and submit questions for discussion during the webinar.

This webinar will be recorded and available on www.drugs.ie/parents

Resources for parents