Parents hailed foranti-drugs drive

Some 30 mothers and fathers were given an award by national charity Adfam for taking part in its pilot education programme to learn about drug and alcohol prevention.

Adfam is the leading organisation in the country which works with and for families affected by drugs and alcohol. It provides publications, training, prison visitors' centres, outreach work and highlighting local support schemes.

The pilot in Bognor involved a year-long series of workshop evenings and courses for parents.

It was one of six national projects co-ordinated by Adfam, which supports families affected by drug or alcohol abuse. More than 35 applications were received to host the pilot schemes.

Those colleges chosen matched ten criteria. These included an understanding of the need for quality standards in working with families on drug and alcohol education and prevention, knowing the needs of young people and an innovative, community-based approach to working with families.

The trial sessions formed the charity's Bouncing Back! programme which tested ways to help families become more resilient to drug and alcohol misuse and better equipped to deal with it.

The Bognor parents reported significant improvements in their confidence levels in managing their teenagers' behaviour and in the quality of their relationship with their children.

One commented: 'We all need a little oasis where we have time to reflect, confess, thrash out issues and become better equipped to make positive changes for our families in the future.'

The project produced many positive outcomes which have helped Adfam to make recommendations for similar education programmes in the future.

Adfam hopes the government will use the lessons learnt from the pilot schemes to inform the future of drug education. A special focus should be put on the way families and communities can be involved in helping young people become more resistant to drug misuse.

Adfam chief executive Vivienne Evans said: 'We are delighted to recognise the Bognor parental education programme with this award.

'The Bouncing Back! programme has highlighted the very important role that families such as the parents at the community college have to play in drug and alcohol prevention work, and has provided us with invaluable learning.

'What has been particularly positive has been the evidence that, even in times of crisis, families are willing to participate in education programmes to build up resilience against drug and alcohol problems.

'We have had great feedback from participants and organisers. We hope to see more programmes of this kind in the future.'