FESAT Workshop 3: Young People, Parents, Cannabis and Helplines Counselling, Brief intervention Chris Murphy (Ireland)

A help-call arrives

A help-call via… SMS Phone Internet

A help-call from….

Types of enquiry 1.Request for information 2. Wants to talk / Seeking guidance 3. Wants to meet a counsellor (= referral)

1. Request for Information SMS (txt) – Automated response Phone – personal, brief response 3. Web: Live Person – brief reply

SMS replies 2006 Hash Cocaine Heroin Speed Ecstasy Cannabis Other Acid LSD Coke Magic mushr

2. Person wants to “talk” By Text, Phone or over the Internet Wants to talk about a problem Perhaps in a crisis Asking “what am I to do?”

If caller is a Parent.

Online Contacts and Chats TOTALS 2006 TOTAL HITS 66,918 Service Users Information Requests Online: 2197 Parent looking for Information: 938 Brief responses Out of Hours: 496 Live Help Chats: 289 General: 118 Cannabis: 57 Heroin: 11 Personal responses Ecstasy: 0 (more lengthy) Cocaine: 41 Amphetamines:24 Other Drugs: 38

Why focus on Parents? They often make the help call Family Systems: If the parent changes, others will also change They see their son or daughter daily ; I can only offer one hour a week to meet their son or daughter

Parent Issues a)Reaching out, asking for help b)Power and responsibility c)Self-care d)Harm reduction and total abstinence e)Relationships f)Intervention

a) The parent asks for help (at last!) Person to Person –Create a Relationship with the caller Share simple information – my name, caller’s name, age of person they are worried about, confidentiality Be Reassuring – We will try to help

b) Power and responsibility “Powerlessness” = (a word from AA)

b) Power and responsibility “Powerlessness” = (a word from AA) Is it like this????

Or this? b) Power and responsibility

“Powerlessness” = The other person is responsible for his or her own decisions

Power and responsibility (3) A parent (& a good parent) cannot control the behaviour of another person – even if that person is your son or daughter

Parent Responsibility & Age Parent of young child has weightier responsibility Parent Child

Parent Responsibility

Power and Responsibility The Crisis: Time to tighten the reins?

Power and Responsibility Or a time of growth for parents and young person? Remind the young person that parents cannot take on their (y.p’s) responsibility

c) Self-care Put on your own oxygen mask first Get your own feet on solid ground Parents decide what is right for you Two parents rarely agree – that’s normal What is the desired outcome – a young adult who is good at self-care…?

Self-care Parent is wise to seek help or guidance It’s good to break the silence What help and support is available? Do they want referral to a resource near them? Do they just want to talk on the phone or internet?

d) Harm reduction and total abstinence What is the desired outcome? “Zero tolerance” is not the only option Harm-avoidance is a good start What about (as an outcome): –a young adult who takes good care of himself or herself?

e) Relationships Have you and your son or daughter had good times in the past? A sound foundation does not disappear overnight Keep the lines of communication open –Who does he/she listen to –Do you ever have good conversations?

f) Intervention If there is already serious harm arising (chaotic use, violence, stealing, possible addiction) intervention is worth considering There are guidelines, but it is difficult to outline this over the phone Better to make contact with an agency or counsellor

Intervention (2) GUIDELINES: Have a meeting, more than one person; include someone whom the user respects Express your care, love, concern Stick to facts Outline the choices for the future Be clear what YOU will do if things don’t change.