WORKING WITH PARENTS

 

Different strategies were used to involve parents in events organized within the Community-based Programme for Drug Prevention in Schools. They were continually being informed (at parent-teacher meetings, through letters and talks with teachers) about events at school in relation to drug-prevention and health promotion. Parents were invited to participate in various undertakings together with their children - the school referendum on the adoption policy on healthy lifestyle, the Health Day, the drafting and approval of rules and procedures on drug-related incidents etc.

A special awareness-raising course was designed and carried out within the Project framework as an important element in school life and in recognition of the significance of healthy communication between parents and children on issues related to drug use.

The awareness-raising course for parents can be held twice during the academic year. It comprises four meetings, each lasting an hour and a half. The course covers topics such as:

• Drug substances
• Causes, consequences, developing dependence
• Detection of possible drug-use
• Parents and communication
• The use of psychotropic substances and relevant legislation.

Organizing and holding an awareness-raising seminar for parents is the joint responsibility of the school and the local coordinator. In providing back-up for the seminar, the school can contribute a venue and technical equipment to hold the meetings. The local coordinator can contribute by moderating the seminar since it is not advisable to have a moderator employed by the school but rather an outside expert. When organizing the seminar, attention should be paid to the way in which parents will be notified about the seminar, the location, the time and the subject matter. Practice has shown the parent-teacher meetings are an expedient method, as are letters to parents with a brief description of the seminar, a schedule of meetings and a form for feed-back and a request to confirm attendance.

It is also useful to have parents anonymously evaluate each of the meetings by filling in questionnaires about the usefulness of the presented information and presentation formats, and to make recommendations about the organization, content and future meetings.

The awareness-raising course for parents on drug-related issues was implemented and approved at the three pilot schools. It is practically-oriented and aims at facilitating parents' communication with their children. Interactive methods form the basis of the working methods and the activities strives to solicit parents' interest in school events and in Health Education classes. 

Parents who have participated in awareness-raising seminars at pilot schools have this to say:

• Margarita Paneva – mother of a 9th grader: We are now better informed and careful with the young, we are better equipped to help them form a system of values, free of drugs, and be able to stand up for themselves.
• Penka Prokopieva – mother of a 10th grader: I did not think I needed a parental course. At the very first meeting I realized my ignorance of the issue. I am surprised so few parents responded. This is a useful programme and should cover more schools, parents and students.