Objectives of Time to talk session 1)Understand what the five protective factors are to delay or reduce the risks of harmful AOD use in teenagers. 2)To know when, how to make Time to talk 3)Understand how to promote a feeling of connection, value and support lasting sense of resilience in your teen 4)Know and understand the facts in order to communicate to your teenager. 5)Understand how to plan and supervise teenager parties and drinking 6)Practise positive behaviour in order to influence

Why Time to Talk Young people are starting to drink at an earlier age, and most drink in ways that put their health at risk.  Young Australians (aged 14–24) have their first full serve of alcohol at 15.7 years on average  72.3% of 12–17 year olds have not consumed alcohol in the last 12 months  17% of 15–18 years old say they had sex when drunk which they later regretted  Alcohol contributes to the 3 major causes of teen death: injury, homicide and suicide  Friends or acquaintances are the most likely sources of alcohol for 12–17 year olds (45.4%), with parents being the second most likely source (29.3%)

Why Time to Talk Families can prevent, delay or reduce the risks of harmful AOD use in teenagers. How to influence positive protective factors: 1)Making the Time to Talk 2)Feeling connected and supported 3)Know the Facts 4)Plan and Supervise activities where alcohol might be present 5)Be consistent and Influence positive behaviour

1) Making the Time to Talk Tips to keep the lines of communication open with your teenager:  Timing  Be patient and stay calm  Be honest and lead by example  Make decisions together  Keep talking

2) Feeling Connected and Supported By making them feel connected, valued and supported you are giving them the ability to cope when society and peers are encouraging them to have a drink or when things just seem difficult. Their capacity to cope or their resilience can be built on a strong positive relationship with you as their parent or care giver

3) Know the Facts  Effects of alcohol on young people  Signs that alcohol may be affecting your teenager  What are the Guidelines  Know the law: alcohol  Secondary Supply  Social Media

Effects of alcohol on young people Alcohol affects young people differently to adults.  The brain  Short and long-term effects  Mental health  Behaviour

Standard drink It is important to understand what a standard drink is so that when you are drinking you can manage how much alcohol you consume. In Australia, a standard drink is any drink containing 10 grams of alcohol, regardless of container size or alcohol type (e.g beer, wine, spirit). A standard drink is a unit of measurement. In the same way one metre measures a particular distance travelled, one standard drink measures a particular amount of alcohol consumed.

Guidelines Guideline 1: Reducing the risk of alcohol-related harm over a lifetime The lifetime risk of harm from drinking alcohol increases with the amount consumed. For healthy men and women, drinking no more than two standard drinks on any day reduces the lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury. Guideline 2: Reducing the risk of injury on a single occasion of drinking On a single occasion of drinking, the risk of alcohol-related injury increases with the amount consumed. For healthy men and women, drinking no more than four standard drinks on a single occasion reduces the risk of alcohol-related injury arising from that occasion.

Guidelines Guideline 3: Children and young people under 18 years of age For children and young people under 18 years of age, not drinking alcohol is the safest option. A. Parents and carers should be advised that children under 15 years of age are at the greatest risk of harm from drinking and that for this age group, not drinking alcohol is especially important. B. For young people aged 15−17 years, the safest option is to delay the initiation of drinking for as long as possible. Guideline 4: Pregnancy and breastfeeding Maternal alcohol consumption can harm the developing fetus or breastfeeding baby. A. For women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, not drinking is the safest option. B. For women who are breastfeeding, not drinking is the safest option. * 2009 Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol, NHMRC

Know the law: alcohol It is legal:  For a person younger than 18 years to drink alcohol within private premises, with the supervision of a parent/guardian.

Know the law: alcohol It is illegal for:  A parent/guardian to provide alcohol to someone under the age of 18 years, then NOT provide adequate supervision.  Someone other than a parent/guardian to supply alcohol to someone under the age of 18 years, even on private property.  People under the age of 18 years to purchase alcohol.  People under the age of 18 years to have alcohol bought for them in public places.  People under the age of 18 years to attend a licensed venue without parental supervision (there are some special circumstances.

Secondary Supply Parents are commonly the source of alcohol to their children, or their children’s friends. This is known as secondary supply of alcohol. Did you know? 40% of under-age drinkers get alcohol from their parents Supplying alcohol to young people in the private setting It's not an offence in Queensland for a person younger than 18 to drink in a private home with supervision. However, it's important to provide adequate supervision by a parent or guardian, and consider the message you send by allowing this to happen. to a party Schoolies Be consistent and influence positive behaviour

Social Media Teenagers can spend a large amount of their time on social media sites. Social media sites expose them to alcohol messages that encourage and glamorise drinking. Personal photos and messages of friends and celebrities can demonstrate that underage drinking is acceptable.

4) Plan and Supervise  Supervision of a teenage party is essential. It's a legal requirement for a responsible adult to be present at a private party for under eighteens.  Hosting a party  Going to a party  Schoolies

5) Be consistent and influence Role modelling What you do shows your teenager how you want them to behave. What you say is also important. Try to practise what you preach. Teenagers can and do notice when you don’t! Review your own drinking rules and boundaries ask yourself:  How much do you drink on one occasion, over the week,  Do you designate a driver when going out  Do you have alcohol free family events  Do you drink to get drunk

Further Information Lives Lived Well Our dedicated and professional staff are here to provide a safe and friendly place for you to consider your choices and explore your options. We also offer support and information to friends and family. Our community services are free and confidential. Our residential services are provided at a minimal cost. Call to speak to someone today. Our operating hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday. If you need after hours support, please contact Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) on If you need to speak to someone immediately please contact Lifeline on If you have an emergency, please call 000 or your nearest hospital.

Further Information Useful links & resources like-they-matter/