Gov’t invites parental involvement for teenage anti-drug efforts

Parental involvement plays a crucial role in the government’s anti-drug campaign directed at local youth, who nowadays have moved away from using outdoor venues to their own private homes when consuming drugs, said Hon Wai, the head of Department of Prevention and Treatment for Drug Dependence, at the launch ceremony of an event yesterday that sought to invite parental intervention in combating juvenile drug abuse citywide.
The results from research previously conducted, as Wai noted, suggested a tendency for drug abuse to occur in private venues such as homes. While drug education during early childhood is influential and significant, it is still overlooked by many people. “The most effective prevention is parents’ concern and involvement, which are important,” said the department head. “In the past when we conducted workshops for parents, many parents didn’t think that they were responsible. They didn’t know what to do or when to start talking about [it to their kids]. Some parents only brought up the topic of drug abuse to their kids when they reached adolescence.”
The authority advised local parents to start educating their children about drugs as early as during childhood, as it could avoid conflicts during the usually rebellious stage of adolescence. Currently, around 90 percent of local elementary schools have begun to participate in a program launched by the department in 2000 that instills positive life messages to schoolchildren. Together with the education of parents on the matter, Hon believes the anti-drug efforts could be more productive and effective.
Furthermore, the mobile application, referred to as the “Anti-Drug Information Station” created by the Macau Welfare Bureau last year is now undergoing interface updates. The updated version will feature some accounts of real-life experiences from parents whose children had previously used drugs to excess. Hon believed that this could encourage parents experiencing the same issues to come forward to ask for help from the government. “Many parents feel helpless upon discovering some of the clues. They also don’t know what to do. They could feel more reassured when they see these parents’ stories and solutions,” said Hon adding that a majority of them might also opt to shy away from the issue as it would be a family disgrace if it came to light.
The department bureau also revealed its intention to compile teaching materials for local parents, such as adapted bedtime stories and picture books based on well-known fairytales, to guide their children.
Regarding the program, starting either on May 22 or June 8, participants only need to register on the website (healthylife.ias.gov.mo) in order to claim a figurine of the organization’s mascot, Harold. Last year, the first edition of the event saw its maximum number of 5000 participants met within two days. Staff reporter