PARENTS JOIN DRUGS FIGHT

The Federal Government has enlisted parents in the battle against illicit
drugs with hard-hitting advertisements and an information book to encourage
them to talk frankly with their children.

Unveiling the $27 million information campaign as one part of the
Government's Tough on Drugs strategy, Prime Minister John Howard said
yesterday that parents should be honest about their own past, including
discussions about any history of drug use.

He said he was making a direct appeal to parents, whom he described as
Australia's greatest resource in fighting the drug problem, to help create
a home environment which discouraged their children from using drugs.

"(Parents should) join not only the Government but also each other in
making a difference by talking to, explaining, discussing, exploring with
their children the dangers of beginning to take drugs, the consequences if
you do, frankly acknowledging drug taking of their own if that has
occurred, exercising patience and understanding but equally not being
afraid to set limits," he said

The eight-week campaign includes TV advertisements reflecting the
unfulfilled hopes of children who became involved with drugs, including
images of a dead drug user being zipped into a body bag. A 24-page
information booklet featuring photographs and descriptions of drugs and
advice for parents will be posted to every Australian household this week.

The descriptions cover the short and long-term effects of the drugs, their
proper names and many of the slang terms by which they are often known. The
booklet also offers advice to parents on how to talk to their children
about drugs.

Mr Howard said the approach was based on research which found children were
strongly influenced by the attitudes of their parents. He said more than 70
per cent of young people had reported that their parents could influence
them not to use drugs but many parents did not feel confident talking to
their children about the issue.

Mr Howard said he did not apologise for the direct nature of the material
in the campaign, nor for the focus of this element of his strategy on families.

"I'm quite unashamed in my view that our strongest defences against the
drug problem are families," he said. "Properly functioning, stable, united,
loving families, whatever their composition, are still the best antidote to
most of society's ills."

Sports lobby group Sport Industry Australia said parents were crucial in
encouraging young people to be involved in beneficial activities, including
sports, and steering them away from drug abuse.Labor's health spokeswoman
Jenny Macklin said the advertising campaign must be backed by practical
measures, including more emphasis on treatment.