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PREVENTING DRUG & ALCOHOL PROBLEMS IN TEENAGERS – WHAT PARENTS CAN DO

Prof Bobby Smyth MRCPsych PhD

The talk will address normal adolescent development and the role that drug/alcohol use can sometimes play in that process. The potential risks associated with adolescent drug use and drinking will be described. There is a great deal of misinformation about cannabis circulating at present, and this is leaving both parents and teenagers ill-informed about its risks. These myths will be addressed. There are also changes in drug products and new methods of drug consumption (e.g. vapes) in recent years.

While teenagers are influenced by school, peers, community, social media and wider culture, it appears clear that parents are the most important single influence upon them. The positive steps which parents can take to support healthy adolescent development will be described. Advice will be provided on the parenting strategies which reduce the risks of teenagers developing problems with cannabis, alcohol or other drugs.

Speaker Biography

Bobby is a Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, who acts as clinical lead across three adolescent addiction services covering South Dublin & Wicklow. He is a Clinical Professor in Trinity College Dublin. His PhD thesis examined strategies to reduce harms related to youth drug use. He has published over 100 scientific papers in the field of addiction. He is on the National Oversight Committee which monitors implementation of Ireland’s National Drugs Strategy. He is the chair of the Addiction Faculty of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland and also the vice-chair of Alcohol Action Ireland.

Please click the link to join the webinar on 30th April at 11am: Please Click Here to Join the Webinar

Please note the you may be in a waiting screen when you join, the webinar will start when the presenter is ready.