Paul Dillon has been working in the area of drug education for the past 25 years. He trained as a primary school teacher in Western Australia and has since taught across all age groups, from pre-primary to high school students. In the early 1990s he moved into the alcohol and other drug field and is best known for his media work in this area. Appearing on a wide range of television programs including Sunrise, TODAY and A Current Affair, he is regularly asked to discuss topical issues, particularly in relation to young people and drugs. He has been contracted by many organizations across Australia to give regular updates on current drug trends within the community. He is one of the few speakers in this area who is also privileged enough to speak to parents and the wider community and his positive message about our young people continues to ensure that he is in great demand across Australia.

CONTENTS..Preface..Introduction ..Chapter 1: The basics..Don't most young people experiment with alcohol and other drugs? Isn't it almost a rite of passage?..When is the right time to start talking to my kids about drugs?..Do shock tactics work? Will trying to scare my kids put them off experimenting with drugs?..How can I reduce the influence of peer pressure?..Does the area I live in determine the drug my child may experiment with?..Where do young people get drugs from?..What are recreational drugs?..Chapter 2: Alcohol and parties..How should I introduce alcohol to my child?..What should I do if my child wants to attend parties where alcohol may be served?..How can I make sure that a party I hold for my teenager doesn't get out of control?..Why can't girls drink as much as boys?..What is a standard drink and why is it important?..Can you really overdose on alcohol?..How do you