A series of anonymized focus groups conducted by the National Federation of Parents (FNaP) with over 100 middle and high school students identified a significant gap between what parents believe and what children perceive, both in terms of communication and the delicate subject of drug use.
When asked about the reasons why they would start using drugs, the teenagers participating in these focus groups indicated curiosity, in first place, then the desire to be “cool”, and in third place boredom”. Contrary to what the children said in focus groups, more than 1,000 parents indicated the influence of the entourage first, followed by the lack of affection in the family, in an online flash survey initiated by FNaP between July 17-19, 2024.
The most surprising was the fact that 38% of the children and adolescents participating in the focus groups indicated that they do not communicate with their parents daily about their current activities, and 11% of them do not communicate even once a week.
Moreover, 39% of respondents said they feel uncomfortable discussing difficult topics with their parents, and only 29% of middle and high school students can discuss difficult topics with their parents.
Shockingly, only 30% of children answered that their parents always listen to their opinions and respect their point of view.
Another highlighted problem is the unfortunate fact that 33% of respondents do not participate at all or participate very rarely in sports, cultural or volunteering activities.
Psychologist Radu Leca, specialized in clinical psychology, psychodiagnosis, sports psychology and psycho-oncology, draws our attention that “the risk factors for difficult parent-child relationships are varied and dynamic. They can range from personal trauma to social pressures and generational differences in values and beliefs.”
Only half of the children who participated in the focus group recommended a discussion with their parents for help when asked “what advice would you give other younger children to avoid/continue using drugs”. Almost a quarter recommended changing the environment, and among the other answers were to avoid drugs even out of curiosity, to learn about cases of consumption that proved fatal, respectively not to be influenced by drug users. Almost unanimously, children who have ended up using drugs say that much of the information about drugs available on the Internet is false and hides the real harmful effects of use.
“Drugs are everywhere, both in real life and online. Every parent must educate himself for his child. Only in this way, each child will know that he is not alone in the face of problems, that in the family he can find solutions. Through this campaign, we want to reach as many parents as possible, to support them, to team up with them, so that together we can be the circle of safety around our children”, says Ramona Dabija, Director General of the National Antidrug Agency.
“FNaP, through the Unspoken campaign to raise awareness among parents of the dangers of drug use, is taking the first concrete steps in bringing together parents, specialists and the entire spectrum of competent authorities. We are pleasantly surprised by the interest shown by many parents in becoming volunteers in this campaign and by their willingness to participate on July 30th in the first volunteer induction and training workshop. During these meetings, FNaP launches the Guide entitled What we say in the family, a valuable support tool in parent-child communication, helping to prevent drug use“, announced Eugen Ilea, president of the National Federation of Parents.
“Know that the parents of children who are addicted to drugs are much more affected than the users themselves, who end up changing their personality somehow. But their families are emotionally destroyed and often financially ruined as well,” says a former drug addict.
Psychologist Radu Leca will participate in this workshop, who will offer ideas on how parents could improve their communication with their children.
The Unspoken campaign to prevent drug use among children benefits from the support of the National Anti-Drug Agency and the two Federations of Teachers’ Unions, which was recently joined by the Ministry of Family, Youth and Equal Opportunities.
The concept of the Unspoken campaign was created by the V+O Communication agency, which will also implement the communication strategy and develop the entire series of information and support materials, as well as all the activities that will be organized in support of this endeavour.
FNaP develops the Unspoken campaign with the help of a group of psychologists and psychotherapists, addiction experts, lawyers, professional communicators and public policy specialists, together with hundreds of volunteers, parents and children, determined to contribute directly to the prevention of drug use of all kinds way. To join, send a message to the e-mail address: bucuresti@fnapip.ro
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