Stay safe this summer, advice for young people and parents/carers
As the school and college terms come to an end and summer holidays begin, Shropshire Council is urging young people to celebrate safely and avoid the dangers of drugs, alcohol and water.
Library image of young people. Photo credit: Pexels, Kampus
The council’s Public Health team are raising awareness of the risks and consequences of consuming drugs and alcohol, especially near waterways, where drowning incidents increase during the summer months.
The team want to highlight the information and resources for young people and their and parents and carers on how to stay safe this summer.
Councillor Cecilia Motley, Cabinet member with responsibilities for public health, said:
“We know that many young people will want to celebrate the end of exams and enjoy the freedom of summer with their friends, and we want them to have fun and stay safe. But we also want them to be aware of the potential dangers of drugs and alcohol, which can impair their judgment, affect their health and put them at risk of harm.”
“We are particularly concerned about the risk of drowning when young people gather near water, such as rivers and lakes, and may be tempted to swim or jump in to cool off. This can be very dangerous, as the water may be deeper, colder or faster than it looks, and there may be hidden hazards such as rocks, weeds or currents.
“Swimming under the influence of drugs or alcohol can also increase the chance of accidents and fatalities, so we urge young people to only swim in designated areas where there is supervision and lifeguards.”
You can find lots of river safety advice here: Summer Water Safety | Royal Life Saving Society UK ( RLSS UK )
Young people can find out more about the effects and risks of different drugs and alcohol, as well as tips on how to deal with peer pressure and what to do in an emergency, on the websites of WithYou and Talk to Frank.
- If you or someone you know are worried about drugs and alcohol, our partners at WithYou can help. You can find out more here: Support for Young People and Families in Shropshire | WithYou (wearewithyou.org.uk).
- For more information about different drugs and alcohol, click here: Substance Information and Advice Library | WithYou (wearewithyou.org.uk)
- Talk to Frank
Parents and carers can also access guidance on how to start a conversation with their children about drugs and alcohol, how to spot the signs of substance misuse and where to get help if they are worried.
- If you’re worried about a child’s drug use, you can find advice here: https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/advice-and-information/advice-for-someone-else/advice-for-parents-what-to-do-if-youre-worried-about-a-child-s-drug-use
Rachel Robinson, Director of public health at Shropshire Council said:
“We hope that by providing young people and their parents and carers with accurate and honest information, we can help them make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary harm. We also want them to know that there is support available if they need it, and that they are not alone.
“We encourage anyone who is struggling with drugs or alcohol, or who is worried about someone else, to reach out to WithYou, Talk to Frank or other local services for confidential and non-judgmental advice and support.”
The public health team have put together a range of advice and support for those celebrating the end of term here https://next.shropshire.gov.uk/public-health/drugs-and-alcohol-support/stay-safe-this-summer/.
Further information on how to stay safe and well this summer can be found at Stay safe and well this summer | Shropshire Council
