Parents play an important role in their child’s decisions around alcohol and other drug use.  “Parents Matter” is the latest creation of the Rethink Your Drinking campaign and reviews 6 evidence-based parenting strategies around preventing and delaying alcohol and other drug use.  Seven of the Southwest Health Units (Southwestern Public Health, Perth District Health Unit, Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit, Lambton Public Health, Windsor Essex County Health Unit, Huron County Health Unit and the Middlesex London Health Unit) worked on this project collaboratively and have produced a booklet (adapted from a KFL&A Public Health resource) and poster supporting the campaign.  There is also the Rethink Your Drinking website that has the materials and information specific to the Parents Matter message at www.rethinkyourdrinking.ca/parents.

As a background, Rethink Your Drinking is an awareness campaign that encourages moderation or low-risk drinking to support healthy lifestyle choices and reduce short and long-term risks associated with alcohol consumption.  It was created and supported as a Southwest Public Health initiative back in 2011 when the Canadian Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines first came out.  It has had various iterations highlighting different health harms or lower-risk consumption methods (e.g., Cancer risks, FASD risks, standard drink sizes, etc.) and has been promoted both locally and provincially through Ontario public health units. Check out the resources and website to learn more.

When it comes to alcohol and other drugs, Parents Matter.