Talking to Your Child About Drugs, Smoking and Alcohol

Learn ways to start difficult conversations with your child about drug taking, smoking and drinking alcohol.

We want our children to live healthy lives, but we know many young people experiment with alcohol, smoking or drugs. They are naturally curious about the effects, may feel all their friends are trying it, copy family members, or imitate the people they see on TV and in films.

It can feel hard to talk to your child about drugs and alcohol. You might worry about ruining their innocence if they’re young, or accidentally encourage them to try. But starting these conversations early, in an age-appropriate way, is the best way to give them the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions.

Let’s look at the laws around drugs, smoking, and alcohol and the impact they can have on physical and mental health. Then we’ll share ideas to help you have these difficult conversations with your child.

What you need to know: Drugs

Drugs include a wide range of different substances. They can be taken as tablets, sniffed, snorted, or injected. Some household products, like glues and aerosols, can also be used as drugs.

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