ABCD Parenting Young Adolescents
Official Launch on 16 July 2002 by Health Minister John Thwaites
Held at UnitingCare Moreland Hall

A new Statewide program has been developed to help parents talk more effectively to their teenage children about drugs, Health Minister John Thwaites, announced today.

Mr Thwaites said the ABCD Parenting Young Adolescents program would help parents understand and respond to a range of issues their teenage children may be facing, including drug use.

"The ABCD program helps parents identify serious problems and seek support at times of difficulty or crisis," he said.

"There is a basic parenting program dealing with drug and alcohol issues and a more advanced program for those parents seeking additional support.

"Both programs will be offered across Victoria and include a series of four, two-hour workshops over four weeks.

"Topics covered in the programs include problem solving, conflict resolution, limit setting and self-care. The advanced program also includes dealing with strong emotions, reconciliation and rebuilding relationships.

"The program will be provided in English and five other languages including Arabic, Spanish, Macedonian, Vietnamese and Turkish. A separate initiative will be developed to meet the specific needs of the Koori community.

"Two successful pilot programs have already been completed and 55 facilitators trained to deliver 210 programs over the next 12 months.

"The 24-hour parent support telephone and referral service Parentline will be the central contact point for the ABCD program. The Parentline number is 13 22 89."

Mr Thwaites said the program was an example of the State and Commonwealth working together to help parents deal with the drug problem.

"Funding for the program is part of the Commonwealth's National Illicit Drugs Strategy while the UnitingCare Moreland Hall and the Parenting Research Centre have been responsible for developing and implementing the program," he said.

UnitingCare Moreland Hall Executive Janet Farrow said every parent was concerned about their children's approach to drugs.

"There is no way we can cocoon our kids against drugs. But what we can do is prepare ourselves and our children so they can make informed decisions and let them know that we, as parents, are there for them," she said.

"That is what the ABCD program is about being prepared."

North Coburg parent, Janette Bowles, has completed one of the ABCD pilot programs and said she wanted to find out what 'normal' teenage behaviour was.

"Like most mothers I was a bit worried about things my son was doing or things I thought he might be doing and I wondered should I be concerned or was this just the way that boys behaved as they became adolescents?

"It was great how the program got you into the head of a teenager. You thought no wonder he acts like that, when he's going through so much."

The ABCD program complements the many other programs supported by the Victorian Government to help families deal with drug issues including community education campaigns, local community drug forums, school drug education, community strengthening initiatives, family drug counselling services, parent support groups, and the Family Drug Helpline.

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