Parent Survey 2009

57% of Australian Parents Believe Their Children are at Risk of Falling Prey to Alcohol and Drug Abuse

More than half of Australia’s parents believe that their children may become victim to drug and alcohol abuse, with an astounding 40 percent admitting it keeps them lying awake at night, a survey conducted by Life Education, has found.

The survey, which interviewed over 1,000 parents Australia-wide, also found that 96 percent of parents thought drug and alcohol education should be a priority of government, with almost two in three parents saying the government does not do enough to educate young Australians about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

Jay Bacik, CEO at Life Education said; “It is not at all surprising how very concerned parents are about the threat of alcohol and drug abuse when it comes to their children. Drinking in particular is a big part of Australian life. Kids are starting to experiment with alcohol and drugs earlier than ever before, so it is very important to educate children when they are young and equip them with the skills and knowledge to know what they are doing, and say ‘no’.

“These survey results show that a greater emphasis needs to be placed on drug and alcohol education. There are over 22,000 deaths as a direct result of alcohol and drug abuse every year.” said Mr Bacik.

With 87 percent of parents surveyed believing there has been an increase in drug and alcohol abuse in Australian youth over the past decade, it is no surprise this issue rates highly as a concern when it comes to their own children.

Despite Australian culture often being blamed for Australians’ predisposition for a drink, most parents surveyed (61%) think that peers are by far the biggest influencer of drug use and drinking, with parents believing only a tiny 3 percent of youth wait until they are over 18 to have their first drink.

Finally, more than half of parents surveyed said they have had a friend or family member suffer from drug and/or alcohol abuse. Almost one third believe the most prominent side effect from drug and alcohol abuse is violence and gangs, followed by adverse health issues.

Key Findings:

• 57% of parents believe their child/children are at risk of falling prey to drinking and drugs.
• 87% of parents believe there has been an increase in drug and alcohol abuse in Australian youth over the past 10 years, only 4% believe there has been a decrease.
• 40% of parents said concerns about alcohol and drug abuse keep them lying awake at night.
• 96% of parents thought drug and alcohol education should be a priority of government.
• 64% of parents think the government does not do enough to educate Australian youth on the dangers of alcohol and drug consumption.
• Parents believe violence and gangs are the most prominent side effect of alcohol and drug abuse on Australian youth (20%). 27% say adverse health issues and 16% say crime.
• Peers were listed as the biggest influencer of drinking and drug abuse (61%), only 12% thought Australian culture was to blame.
• 87% of parents believe Australian youth start drinking between the ages of 13 to 16, only 3% of youth wait until they are over 18.
• 55% of parents have known a friend or family member who has suffered from alcohol and/or drug abuse.
• 81% of parents have had a child attend drug and alcohol education with giraffe Healthy Harold.